By now, most of us share a similar feeling:  we feel drained. For months now, we have been bravely facing the Covid-19 pandemic. I think it’s fair to say that it has taken its toll on us. 

No matter your context, you may have been dealing with the stress of the uncertainties, the worries about health systems and economic outcomes, added to the fear of losing our loved ones. Being in this emotional chaos can easily get us sidetracked, resulting in simply “functioning”, or, at worst, a burnout. So, now, it’s time to focus on personal recover!

“An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior.”

Victor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

Recover for coping with the new normal

It’s important that we get our energy back and recover, so we can face our new normal.

For the next months, we’ll have to adapt to new habits, a new routine at work and schools. We have to be strong to face these changes in the best possible way.

To recharge and find balance, our greatest source is still sleeping:

– Make sure you organize your schedule to maximize your sleeping time.

– Create a routine to unwind at the end of the day: you can choose anything that signals to your mind and body that it is time to slow down, reading a book, drinking tea, listening to music, practicing yoga… It’s just important that it becomes a routine.

– Turn off your devices, or at least the notification sounds of apps.

– Don’t use your phone before sleeping (NEVER – this is the easiest way to get the mind alert).

But besides sleeping, we also have many other sources of renewal. Feel-good moments are right up in the list. These moments fill us with the energy we need to keep balance and face the difficult moments ahead. At these moments, you can choose to:

– Read an inspiring book.

– Watch a beautiful movie.

– Observe nature.

– Cook a special meal.

– Play with a child.

– Write a gratitude journal.

– Meet your friends and family (though mostly virtually).

To find time for these activities, you need to be smart about the way you use technology and set limits. It is too easy to just spend hours on the phone or in front of the TV.

– Set times to check emails, messaging apps and social media (or you’ll want to check them every 5 minutes).

– Set times to follow the news (unfortunately, the news has been a source of anxiety because of the uncertainties – so stay informed but set a time to check it so you don’t spend the whole day worrying).

– Don’t use your phone in the first hour (at least half-hour) of the day and the last our as well.

– Take a day off, if possible (let everyone know you will be offline for the day – and forget you have a phone). Or have a date with yourself for an hour one day a week, if time is tight!

“It’s in the spaces between work that love, friendship, depth, and dimension are nurtured. Without time for recovery, our lives become a blur of ‘doing’ unbalanced by much opportunity for ‘being’.”

 Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz

To learn more about how to recover and get your energy back, check our previous articles:

–  Get Your Energy Back

–  Work-Life Balance in the Digital Age: Can We Achieve it?

For exercises to embrace recovery, download our worksheets on Stepping into Balance, and Boost Performance.

If you are looking for sessions to help you find balance and work on recovering, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Book a free discovery session with us.