You can’t help others if you don’t look after yourself first

2020 was uniquely challenging and exhausting for an entire host of reasons. It would be wrong to say that we’ve all been in this together. Our experience of the pandemic has been entirely personal and dependent on our circumstances. Some have thrived in their new settings, while others worry about how they will afford their next meal. The seemingly never-ending announcements were certainly not what we expected when we quickly packed up our office essentials back in March 2020. We’ve all weathered the same storm, just not in the same boat.

So, what are some practical steps you can take to feel mentally stronger?

Don’t forget about the world away from your desk

Breaking up the day by getting outside for some fresh air can help reduce stress and refresh your mind. Some days you will sit at your desk, carry on working on your to-do list, and next thing you know, it’s time to start cooking dinner. If you’ve got a lot going on, it’s easy to get stuck in a bubble and forget to take breaks.

Realising the outside world continues to exist is a welcomed break and can help to put your work worries into perspective. So, whether you want to run a 5k or go for a short walk around the block, I strongly recommend you get outside. When did you last take some time for yourself during the day?

For good ideas, you need interaction with others

Many of us are enjoying having more interaction with our family, friends, and colleagues again. However, creating this connection while working from home with endless to-do lists can be difficult and isn’t always something we prioritise.

How might you benefit from creating moments of connection in your working day? Investing in these work relationships will help you feel more connected, and it’s how we can inspire new ideas for future innovation. After all, whoever came up with a creative new idea during a day scheduled full of Zoom calls?

Keep learning because life never stops teaching

At the start of the first lockdown, many people said this would be a fantastic time to learn the skill you always wanted. Has anyone else wondered where the last 18 months went and what you did with the time?

Taking on a big challenge while the world is continuously changing can feel daunting, so think about how you can make learning more manageable. Podcasts and blog posts are a great form of learning in bitesize chunks. No matter what you choose, it’s still learning, just adapted to a way that suits you best right now. Many of us find ourselves watching the continuous news stream; so, why not take a break to think about something new?

Courage doesn’t mean you’re not afraid

There is strength in breaking down, picking yourself up, and trying again tomorrow. If you’re finding things difficult, don’t be afraid to tell someone about how you feel and ask for help. We all have good and bad days under normal circumstances, so don’t pressure yourself into always having good days during these challenging times.

So, read a good book, seek comfort from a friend, or have an extra scoop of ice cream. There is no guide for how to handle a lockdown and a re-opening, but if you’re open and honest with those around you, the dark clouds can feel a little less scary.

If you can try one thing a day that might help you feel better, why not give it a go? You might have read this thinking, “I don’t have time”, and that’s ok. Just remember there is a reason why they say “put your oxygen mask on before helping others” on flights. You can’t help others if you don’t look after yourself first.

We risk burnout if we maintain the pace of our current working days, jumping from one call to the other without a break. Try to give yourself the space you need to be successful without feeling exhausted at the end of the day.

If the pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that those we love are at the core of everything we do, so make sure you’re getting the time and energy to create new memories with them, no matter our circumstances.