Everyone I speak to lately says the same thing to me, ‘I can’t wait to get back to normal’. They also tell me that they are not in rush to go on holiday, go to the shops or get back into the office. So, what is this ‘new normal’ that people speak of? I guess none of us know yet but what I do hear is that there is a desire to go back to a life once lived but a nervousness about how one gets there.
Will our experience reflect that of March 23rd 2020? the heightened sense of fear as Boris Johnson addressed the nation and declared that we must stay indoors to save lives. I wonder if we might have to kind of go in reverse, once again feeling the anxiety of the unknown until we settle into yet another new normal that might be close to the life we once lived.
Transitional periods often bring feelings of trepidation as we struggle to adjust to change. So what can we do to navigate the next few months and embrace the new normal?
Self Care
I always think that when the going gets tough go back to basics!! What does that mean?
- Eat Well and where possible, eat clean. Give your body the fuel it needs to support itself.
- Sleep Well. Think sleep hygiene here. Make a sleep schedule and stick to it. Set your bedroom at a comfortable temperature, turn off your electrical devices and leave your phone outside so you are not tempted to scroll through social media late into the night!
- Exercise Well. Take a walk outside… Our body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on our skin when we’re outdoors. Plus research shows that vitamin D might play an important role in regulating mood.
- Avoid Alcohol and Drugs. Sorry, both can be a depressant and increase anxiety. So if you are thinking of giving up now might be the right time. Oh, and both interfere with the quality of our sleep.
- Speak to friends regularly and where possible see your friends and family (this keeps changing, I know). Connection is so important to our happiness and sense of wellbeing. If you can’t see your friends and family in person, Zoom!!
- Do the things that make you smile…. Meditate, take a bath, watch some comedy, read a good book, do some gardening, get out your knitting….. make time to do the things you love!!!
If you need to seek professional help.
See you soon….when we are back to normal…whatever that new normal will b