Self-Care For Our New Normal
Change, they say, is constant. But no one quite anticipated or expected the change that the pandemic would bring. Things started a little…
Change, they say, is constant. But no one quite anticipated or expected the change that the pandemic would bring. Things started a little slow at first, but there was a worldwide pause before we knew it. After that, it would seem things just changed over and over again.
Working from home became the new norm, and so did schooling from home. Social distancing became a requirement, and masks…well, we can’t leave home without them. Every time you open your social media, you’re faced with just how much things have changed.
Self Care For Our New Normal
We’re finally at the point where some of those stringent restrictions are being relaxed. However, it seems we still have to deal with some of the changes that have taken place. Almost like life won’t ever go back to the normal that we knew before. Would you believe it if I told you my heart beat faster as I just considered that last line?
Not only does it seem things won’t return, but there’s also an air of more changes to come. How can we handle this? How will we adjust? If you’re feeling anxious and tired like I am, then this is for you. You’re not alone; we are all finding ways to cope. Let’s discuss self-care for our new normal, wellness advice to keep it together during these difficult times.
First, Let’s Identify What’s Happening
As constant as change is, adapting to it isn’t easy. Humans are creatures of habit, and even the most relaxed of us, has some form of structure. We like the feeling of the familiar and the known. Having a system is what helps us feel like we have a purpose. Change contradicts that.
Change often means having to leave your comfort zone. You’ll have to put in the effort to do things in an unfamiliar way. The time you spend mentally plotting your day as you commute to work is suddenly no longer there. You now work from home, or worse, you got laid off! You find yourself resisting this new routine, especially if it requires some form of sacrifice.
This pandemic has made people even more reluctant to change. Usually, most people accept change in days or weeks. By the sixth month mark. people are used to the new routine. However given the pandemic, just when we’re adapting to one form of change, a new thing happens. Change is literally the only thing we can rely on right now. As such, we become overwhelmed, anxiety kicks in and breakdowns become inevitable. That feeling in the pit of your stomach is exhaustion and helplessness. That’s not the only reason too.
For most people, they’ve never experienced change on this scale. Usually, the only profound change that occurs happens individually. You can then have a strong support group of your loved ones who aren’t affected and can help. This change is affecting everyone simultaneously.
What Response Are You Exhibiting Right Now?
Usually, when change happens, people react in one of two ways. They either accept it or comply with it. With acceptance, you change your patterns and adapt to the new change. With compliance, you go with the flow but don’t really change. Most people do this if they know that what they’re experiencing isn’t going to be constant. Almost like they’re holding on until things go back to normal. Which are you doing right now?
Most people that I’ve observed seem to be complying. They’re hoping that things can go back and their lives will continue as before. Sadly, this isn’t the answer. The reality is that things may never go back to how you used to shop, travel, and hangout. You have to find a way to cope, build resilience, and practice self-care. This is important tools to help you through these difficult times.
Resilience will help you deal with continuous change. You have to nurture your resilience and learn to embrace change mindfully. Here are a few tools to help.
Recognize, Identify And Validate Your Emotions
Negative emotion in response to change is normal. Don’t hide from it or try to pretend that it’s not there. Recognize it, identify it, and validate it. Doing so will make it easier to put your response into perspective and find a solution.
Have At Least One Daily Routine
Having one predictable thing in your life can help with anxiety. A simple checklist can help keep your day moving along. You’ll feel more in control.
Hobbies Could Help
Engaging in your hobbies can be very useful. They’re a form of self-care and will help you feel in control and focused. Find a way to integrate your hobby into your schedule. You don’t even have to be perfect at it. The distraction it will provide is enough.
Use Technology To Interact
You may not be able to go out and see your friends as before. This does not mean that you should give up on communicating with them. Technology has made it possible to gather with your family and friends online. This interaction is essential and should be maintained. As strong as you think you or anyone of them might be, you’ll need it. Mental health challenges affect everyone. The interaction could help with your wellness.
Listen, change is hard. Adapting to change is even harder. People say that we’re all in this together and to an extent, we are. But you live every day by yourself. You have to deal with change in a way that best suits your individual needs. Take stock of what motivates you, what makes you feel gracious, and what excites your soul. Lean into that during times of distress and forget everything else. We’ll get through this together but you’ll accomplish that alone. Take care of yourself.
Photo by Calvin Lupiya on Unsplash