Mental Health Awareness Week falls in May, and this year it feels more relevant than ever to be aware of both our own mental health and that of others, and the factors that affect it.
We’ve spent over a year living in completely new territory, and crucially, everyone’s experience has been unique.
I’ve spoken to business owners who’ve spent the last 14 months trying desperately to keep their businesses afloat and protect the income of their employees, with the uncertainty of not knowing when things would return to normal weighing heavily on them. I’ve met people who lost their jobs overnight and faced the harsh reality of not knowing how they would pay their bills.
I’ve also welcomed new members to my team who have been on furlough and needed to top up their income, while others have turned their passions into an extra income source by utilizing the extra time they’ve had. The point is, we’ve all had to adapt. While we’ve all been in the same storm, we haven’t all been in the same boat.
As life slowly returns to normal, it’s crucial to remember that our experience of the last year will impact how we emerge from it. Many aspects of our lives have changed significantly, from social interaction and exercise habits to relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and our everyday routines. Over time, we’ve created new norms, and for those of us who like to establish and stick to routines, these norms have become quite entrenched.
Stress and anxiety can seriously hinder our ability to function in everyday situations, so it’s important that you ease yourself back into “normal life,” setting your own pace and not feeling pressured to go from spending most of your day at home to suddenly having plans every day!
Here are 3 things I’d like you to think about as we start to get back to normal:
It’s been scientifically proven that our brains have aged after a year of doing less, making us slower and more prone to memory loss. This is because we’ve been living more monotonous lifestyles, isolated, and spending more time in front of a screen. Fortunately, we can reverse these effects, but it’s going to take time to adjust to a busier lifestyle.
So, don’t beat yourself up if you get tired more easily, if you can’t lift as heavy weights in the gym, or if you’re not as productive as you were before the pandemic. You’ll get there—you just need to be kind to yourself and let it happen naturally. The same goes for adjusting to the process of building multiple income streams if you’re working toward financial freedom.
Having lived under so many restrictions for over a year, you might feel tempted to say yes to absolutely everything when the rules are eased. I get it, we all feel like we have to make up for lost time. But there’s a balance to be had. Saying yes to everything is likely to lead to burnout, especially because we’ve become accustomed to doing less.
We can’t be productive if we take on too many commitments. This applies to both our work lives and our social lives, so try to prioritize doing things that will ultimately lead you to your goals. If you’re working toward financial freedom, this might mean focusing more on extra income sources or refining your current commitments to align with your long-term goals.
Self-care has become a bit of a buzzword, but it’s so important that we look after ourselves physically and mentally so that we can succeed in other aspects of our lives. The age-old saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” is so true. If we’re feeling low in ourselves, it’s much harder to support other people. So, it’s certainly not selfish to schedule in time specifically for you.
Self-care can take many forms, from taking a bath to going for a walk, listening to your favorite music, meeting a friend for coffee, or reading a book. Essentially, self-care is anything that makes you feel good! By being the best version of yourself, you’ll be a better friend, partner, parent, and be in the best position to achieve your goals—including the pursuit of financial freedom and creating multiple income streams.
I think most of us will welcome the return of some normality, but the key is to take things at your own pace and prioritize your overall well-being so that you’re able to deal with the challenges a busier life will inevitably bring.
Talking about how you’re feeling is a great way to improve the way you’re feeling, and it will also open the dialogue for others to talk about their experiences.
Let’s be patient with ourselves and supportive of each other as we emerge from the pandemic and start to move forward with life.
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