September is here again and COVID is (unfortunately) still around. However, we are adjusting to what our new “normal” looks like. Masks are still being worn at work, school, and in social environments. Vaccines and tests are being strongly encouraged or made mandatory. If you think back to March 2020 when we thought pre-COVID normal would be back by 2021…oh what wishful thinking we had. It’s going to be a long time before COVID goes away, and the best thing we can do is to adjust accordingly and keep moving forward.
The only way you will get through this COVID era is to maintain a balance of responsibilities and taking time for yourself. Here are some tips to guide you:
-Be Kind to Everyone- Everyone is dealing with their own personal and COVID-related struggles. Whether that is recovering from the virus itself or the grief from the virus and figuring out how to coexist with it. We can all be a little more empathetic towards others.
-Keep Your Physical Health A Priority- Establish a simple routine to get your body moving whether it’s walking for 30 minutes a day, attending a workout class, or an at-home video workout. Grab a friend and get moving outside (safely, of course) or create an accountability check-in system, anything that gets you to move and create those endorphins we need.
– Keep Your Mental Health A Priority, Too- These can be very stressful and dark times. Life has changed so rapidly and consistently over the past year and a half. Not to mention some of us feel like we lost a year of our life because of 2020. It is super important to talk to someone if you need to. It can be someone you trust or a professional. As long as you are able to vent and be open about what you are carrying, it will help you get through these times.
-Less Rigid Routines- As professionals transition back into the office and students transition back to in-person learning it is important to look at this as an adjustment period. Our pre-COVID routines of drop-offs, gym time, errands, and commutes are no longer the same. As we change our routines to adapt to our new “normal” it is important to remember to be kind to OURSELVES. It is okay if we are running late to practice, or we forgot to get something from the grocery store. We are under constant stress, the last thing we need is to get mad at ourselves for minute mistakes.
-Do What You Need To Do To Feel Safe- Wash your hands, wear a mask, get vaccinated, and be conscious of your surroundings. COVID is not gone, and people need to remember it is not going anywhere anytime soon. You can still be social but also be safe and do your part to beat this virus.
-Make Sure To Have Some Fun- If 2020 taught us anything, it’s to make sure our work/life balance is on point. If you need to set some better boundaries, this is your time do it. Make sure to take those days off for that road trip, or just for a simple self-care day. Figure out some fun, different things to do since we were quarantined for most of 2020. Have a friend plan a day for you and vice versa. There are so many ways to get creative with how we take our time to decompress.
Your time is yours only so never forget that. We only have one life to live and 2020 was such a lesson to be learned. Keep these tips in m
