These past few months have been an exhausting and emotionally draining time for many of us. Whether we’re working longer hours, worried we’re not working, unsure about the future, staying home with unruly children or a partner, worried about elderly family members, no one has had it easy.
The amount of tolerance and patience required, the mental agility to cope in new and unfamiliar ways, combined with the challenge of emotionally supporting people devastated by the situation they find themselves in during this unprecedented pandemic, has taken its toll on everyone. those involved.
Coping in the midst of tragedy by trying to stay positive, upbeat, and perhaps professional has been in high demand from everyone. There are times when you need to take a break. Not a vacation, or a night out with friends, but a simple break, a break to recharge.
Sometimes, after a busy and stressful day, it’s tempting to sink into an easy chair with a drink and your remote. This may be fine once in a while, but doing it long-term is counterproductive and can leave you feeling lethargic and flat.
When you need to take a break, here are some positive suggestions;
– Take your lunch to a ‘nice’ place, perhaps in a beautiful place nearby, instead of eating it quickly on the run, at your desk or in the car. Is there a local park, nature trail, garden, or beach where you can enjoy a thirty-minute break? Make something tasty and nutritious and savor every bite. And know that everyone around you benefits from having time to step back.
– Go for a walk, run or bike ride and allow yourself some personal space each day. Some people like to combine that with listening to music, podcasts or making calls, but why not take this valuable opportunity to clear your thoughts and fully participate in your activity? Notice the colors, sounds, and changes each day; focus on the here and now.
– Keep hydrated. Feeling tired and irritable may be because you are drinking too much coffee or too little water and have become dehydrated. Drink more water and flush toxins out of your body; your fluid levels will soon readjust.
– Spend some time with music, perhaps revisiting those old favorites you haven’t heard in a while. Or put on calm, soothing music to help you wind down.
– Book a zoom call with friends and have a night of partying, dancing, energizing, reconnecting and having fun.
– Brew a beer and call a friend for a quiet chat. Settling down and exchanging updates, laughs and mutual support.
– Take some time early in the evening to escape reading a good book. Maybe read while dinner cooks.
– Be creative. Many people have been enthusiastically baking bread and cakes in lockdown, stirring and kneading, creating wonderful smells in their homes. Even if your efforts aren’t edible, it can still be a therapeutic way to pass the time!
– Get out the crafts, your painting or your crafts and enjoy being engrossed for a while. Or spend a little time in your garden, tending to your plants, perhaps growing herbs or vegetables.
– Do something you are good at, that you may have forgotten; DIY, a musical instrument, something that gives pleasure by itself. Take pride in revisiting a positive achievement.
– Enjoy family downtime together. If your children spend most of their time at home, not every moment should be devoted to formal education. Get outside and go for a walk, on a nature trail, bird watching, kick a ball around. Or if it’s indoors, play board games, crafts, make up games.
– Take a break with your partner. The lockdown may have unearthed some irritations in your relationship as you spend more time together, each caring for your individual worries and concerns. Do things separately but also have fun together regularly; walk, talk, cook, play. Invest in some positive time for us.
– Ask your partner for a massage. No talking, just a wonderful way to relax your muscles and release tensions in your body. You may alternate shifts, but you really enjoy the benefits of having your body soothed and massaged.
– Make sure your bedroom is a cozy haven, a place to retreat and relax. Clean sheets are always a plus. And if you’re having a particularly busy and difficult time, it’s good to commit to going to bed a little earlier to wind down.
– Immerse yourself in the sensory indulgence of a bath. Candles, bubbles, your favorite music, and a thirty minute bath can be a great way to relax and feel completely clean and refreshed after a long stressful day. Warm the towels and enjoy the full spa experience.
– Take a mental break and practice gratitude daily. Appreciating what you have can lift your spirits, improve your mood, and give you a respite from tense situations.
– Meditate and clear your mind. Some excellent free meditations are available online. Even if you just use them to relax, it’s a beautiful daily break.
– Make the effort to look up. Raising your line of sight from the ground to the trees and sky can improve your mood, open your eyes to sunlight, and reconnect you with the outside world.
Each of these suggestions is free and may require very little of your time. But taking a break recharges your batteries, allows your thinking to clear, and helps you better manage the daily stress you’re experiencing. And if you have any more suggestions, be sure to add them to this list.