Get Growing! Tools and Strategies for Living, Working and Relating Well
The COVID-19 Challenge, Part IV: Are We There Yet?
July 28, 2020
As a child, road trips were awesome! We couldn’t wait to get to our destination, hence the question, are we there yet? In light of COVID-19, there is the return to normal, but it’s not clear when we will arrive and COVID-19 is no road trip! It’s more like a weird staycation that's not nearly as much fun.
That said, the past 4-5 months have been quite a ride. Between the pandemic, civil unrest, extreme weather events… Yikes! Sounds like a preview for the next Stephen King novel. Alas, the world has become a scarier and even more unpredictable place. Maybe hunkering down at home isn't so bad after all.
Which is why it is more important than ever to maintain our equilibrium and not allow these events to consume our lives. To live as normally as possible in a world that is anything but. I’ll do my part by making this the last in a series of COVID-19 Challenges. Going forward, I’ll focus on business as usual because in spite of all the chaos, there is still plenty of normal amid the new normal.
I want all of you to get up and stand on one foot, pink flamingo style, for about thirty seconds. Come on, you can do it! What did you notice? If you didn’t topple over, you may have noticed that your ankle and the foot on which you were standing were in constant motion as you shifted your weight and made adjustments with the rest of your body. Staying in balance requires constant movement, shifting and adjusting. It is not a static state.
This holds true for life balance as well. Many believe that being out of sorts mentally, physically or spiritually is the result of imbalance. In light of everything that is going on in our world, some would argue that we’re out of balance on many levels, which can lead to a state of dis-ease.
So what can you do to bring a sense of healthy balance and equilibrium back into your life when everything seems off-kilter? Start by asking yourself...
•What is feeling 'off' in my life?
•What is there too much or too little of in my life?
•Where is there pain in my life?
•Where am I out of integrity?
Your answers will shed light on areas that need attention. Whether you’re working from home, on the front lines, unemployed or retired, life balance is more important than ever to help keep you grounded. Regardless of how you spend your days, it is helpful to periodically “Look up from your life” and look beyond what is right in front of you or in the news.
Nowadays, many of us are at home more than usual, which poses a variety of challenges including boredom, burnout, difficulty concentrating, distractions, relationship challenges and depression. The antidote is a healthy combination of structure and flexibility. For example, create a realistic game plan for each day that includes periodic breaks from your routine. This will give you a sense of purpose and direction along with some well-deserved me-time.
You’d be surprised at the number of people who are break-challenged. While they would like to take a break, they're not entirely comfortable with the concept. They may feel guilty or think breaks are a waste of time. Workaholics tend to fall into this category. The right kind of break at the right time will recharge your batteries and help maintain healthy life balance. Not sure what to do on a break? Here are some suggestions:
1. Do nothing! Sit down, look around the room or out the window and let your mind wander. Just be present. You can do this outdoors as well.
2. Take a walk or do some other form of aerobic exercise.
3. Call a friend
4. Meditate
5. Run a quick errand
6. If there are others in your household, interact with them, have a chat
7. Do a crossword puzzle
8. Weed the garden
9. Journal
10. Take a power nap
11. Read
12. Play a game of solitaire
If your breaks are ho-hum or if they feel like work, go back to the drawing board. Or if you can’t get anything done because you’re too good at taking breaks, create a to-do list each night for the following day. Check each item off your list as you complete it to increase your sense of accomplishment. To add in a layer of accountability, give a housemate or friend a daily progress report. For more tips on how to stop procrastinating, click here.
Keep in mind that the surest way to get burned out or fall into a rut is monotony, doing the same day after day. Make sure each day doesn’t look exactly like the one before. It's in our DNA to crave variety and new experiences, so don't fight mother nature. Make a more interesting and balanced life your new normal.
Want more balance in your life? Check this out!
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." ~ James Howell's Proverbs
If you know of anyone who might find this newsletter of interest, please feel free to pass it along ~
The COVID-19 Challenge, Part IV: Are We There Yet?
July 28, 2020
As a child, road trips were awesome! We couldn’t wait to get to our destination, hence the question, are we there yet? In light of COVID-19, there is the return to normal, but it’s not clear when we will arrive and COVID-19 is no road trip! It’s more like a weird staycation that's not nearly as much fun.
That said, the past 4-5 months have been quite a ride. Between the pandemic, civil unrest, extreme weather events… Yikes! Sounds like a preview for the next Stephen King novel. Alas, the world has become a scarier and even more unpredictable place. Maybe hunkering down at home isn't so bad after all.
Which is why it is more important than ever to maintain our equilibrium and not allow these events to consume our lives. To live as normally as possible in a world that is anything but. I’ll do my part by making this the last in a series of COVID-19 Challenges. Going forward, I’ll focus on business as usual because in spite of all the chaos, there is still plenty of normal amid the new normal.
I want all of you to get up and stand on one foot, pink flamingo style, for about thirty seconds. Come on, you can do it! What did you notice? If you didn’t topple over, you may have noticed that your ankle and the foot on which you were standing were in constant motion as you shifted your weight and made adjustments with the rest of your body. Staying in balance requires constant movement, shifting and adjusting. It is not a static state.
This holds true for life balance as well. Many believe that being out of sorts mentally, physically or spiritually is the result of imbalance. In light of everything that is going on in our world, some would argue that we’re out of balance on many levels, which can lead to a state of dis-ease.
So what can you do to bring a sense of healthy balance and equilibrium back into your life when everything seems off-kilter? Start by asking yourself...
•What is feeling 'off' in my life?
•What is there too much or too little of in my life?
•Where is there pain in my life?
•Where am I out of integrity?
Your answers will shed light on areas that need attention. Whether you’re working from home, on the front lines, unemployed or retired, life balance is more important than ever to help keep you grounded. Regardless of how you spend your days, it is helpful to periodically “Look up from your life” and look beyond what is right in front of you or in the news.
Nowadays, many of us are at home more than usual, which poses a variety of challenges including boredom, burnout, difficulty concentrating, distractions, relationship challenges and depression. The antidote is a healthy combination of structure and flexibility. For example, create a realistic game plan for each day that includes periodic breaks from your routine. This will give you a sense of purpose and direction along with some well-deserved me-time.
You’d be surprised at the number of people who are break-challenged. While they would like to take a break, they're not entirely comfortable with the concept. They may feel guilty or think breaks are a waste of time. Workaholics tend to fall into this category. The right kind of break at the right time will recharge your batteries and help maintain healthy life balance. Not sure what to do on a break? Here are some suggestions:
1. Do nothing! Sit down, look around the room or out the window and let your mind wander. Just be present. You can do this outdoors as well.
2. Take a walk or do some other form of aerobic exercise.
3. Call a friend
4. Meditate
5. Run a quick errand
6. If there are others in your household, interact with them, have a chat
7. Do a crossword puzzle
8. Weed the garden
9. Journal
10. Take a power nap
11. Read
12. Play a game of solitaire
If your breaks are ho-hum or if they feel like work, go back to the drawing board. Or if you can’t get anything done because you’re too good at taking breaks, create a to-do list each night for the following day. Check each item off your list as you complete it to increase your sense of accomplishment. To add in a layer of accountability, give a housemate or friend a daily progress report. For more tips on how to stop procrastinating, click here.
Keep in mind that the surest way to get burned out or fall into a rut is monotony, doing the same day after day. Make sure each day doesn’t look exactly like the one before. It's in our DNA to crave variety and new experiences, so don't fight mother nature. Make a more interesting and balanced life your new normal.
Want more balance in your life? Check this out!
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." ~ James Howell's Proverbs
If you know of anyone who might find this newsletter of interest, please feel free to pass it along ~
