The light is shining at the end of the tunnel! It feels like this might really be the end of the previous ‘new normal’. Shops, restaurants and bars have reopened, gyms are thriving again, (some) traveling is allowed and many of us have been vaccinated. We’ve all been confronted by our routine and habits when the ‘world closed down’, some positive while others were potentially more destructive. The world is full of possibilities again and it might be tempting to jampack your calendar with exciting adventures. But before you do, our advice is to reflect on what lessons the pandemic have taught you and consider what you might want to keep in your new routines. Here are our thoughts:
1. HEALTH IS REALLY WEALTH, INCLUDING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH For us it became clearer than ever that our health should indeed be our priority. While we have to face the cards that have been dealt, there are many factors of our health safely in our hands; your self-care routine. Such as the nutrition we feed our body, the amount of exercise we do, our sleep routine and maybe more important than ever how we take care of our mindset.
2. WHEN THE WORLD GETS SMALL, NATURE GETS BIG While not being able to go indoors anywhere (besides your own home), it forced us to spend more time outside. For some it might have been a realization that being in nature is actually healing and energizing... and that we haven’t spent enough time ‘being’ in it.
3. WE ARE MORE RESILIENCE THAN WE KNEW This past year and counting have been an ultimate test on our resilience one way or another. To spend more time alone, having your plans get cancelled and adapting to new ones (over and over), trying to stay positive without an end in sight, dealing with concerns and worries about family and friends… just to name a few. In the end it has taught us that this too shall pass and that we're stronger than we ever imagined.
4. YOUR INNER CIRCLE It was the ultimate year to find out who really means most to you. Close friends and family became more important than ever. You might have lost contact with some friends and reached out to others you haven’t been in contact with for a while. It made us realize who’s most important to us - perhaps prioritizing these people is an important commitment to make!
We would love to hear your lessons! Send us a DM on instagram @peoplesplacegym.
POST PANDEMIC ANXIETY. HOW TO DEAL WITH IT AND KEEP YOUR FOCUS
While some of us might be excited about the ‘world opening up’ again, others might experience anxiety because of it. It’s completely natural for our brains to prefer familiar situations aka current pandemic life, than new unfamiliar situations. You might have actually just found a comfortable routine that works for you after a year of adapting; productive working from home, developing a new skill or hobby, or evolving your workout routine to be at home… how to keep up with all of this when possibilities are limitless again? Our tips:
1. LISTEN TO YOUR EMOTIONS Take a moment to listen to the worries that are in your mind and body. Write them down and validate them. To keep your focus you need to be aware of what is actually making you feel nervous.
2. DEVELOP A COPING STRATEGY When this anxiety arises you need to have a coping strategy ready. An activity that centers you and calms you down. This could be calling a friend, doing short meditation or going on a walk by yourself. Whatever it is, spend time investing now to find out what calms you.
3. PLAN YOUR POST PANDEMIC LIFE As described in the article above, we believe there is a potential benefit of reflecting what has been important for you the last year and which lessons you want to keep close. Start by visualizing your ideal day, week and month. What do you want to do and who do you want to see? What is your ideal morning and night routine? If you have a clear vision for yourself it will be a lot easier to work out the necessary steps you need to take to achieve it.
4. SHARE YOUR WORRIES AND STRUGGLES Sharing is really caring.. By vocalizing your worries and struggles with friends, family and colleagues you might find out you’re not alone and that they can help with some of the burden.
5. SET BOUNDARIES Decide in advance what kind of boundaries you want to set. Be a strict guard over your own time and needs and in which social setting you feel comfortable seeing people. If you have clear boundaries and stand behind it, others will respect that.
