Whether, like my family, you are on the brink of going back to School after a very long break from routine, you are getting back into work mode post furlough or you are just back to your normal routine after the summer then you will be aware that this year more than ever September is a time of adjustment that is not always easy to navigate.
The trick is to:
Be kind to yourself & everyone else as they also take a reality check,
Take it one step at a time,
Reassess your priorities,
Be kind to yourself: Our brains like everything to stay the same but life doesn’t generally tend to agree. If we can be kind to ourselves when we are struggling to adapt to an imposed change of routine then we can accept that it is ok, that it is a normal way to be feeling and that given time we can and will adjust. But remember the rest of your household may also be experiencing challenging changes and so to avoid uncomfortable atmospheres and discord they too may benefit from and appreciate a little leeway on this front.
Take it one step at a time: If we think about all the elements that we need to change, such as; earlier to bed, early to rise, managing our time better to get that homework or those chores done, reducing our alcohol intake, shifting back to healthier eating habits and getting some exercise, we could easily become overwhelmed. It is best to break it all down into palatable chunks and then take it step by step, so that it all becomes far more approachable.
Especially with food, alcohol and exercise sudden changes can lead to us feeling; tired, irritable, unfocused, headachy and also hangry (hungry and angry). It is far better for most of us to slowly drop back on our sugar intake rather than go cold turkey as this helps avoid the above pitfalls and if you haven’t exercised regularly for a while but know you need to take action on this front then just start gently and build up cautiously to avoid muscular aches, pains and injuries.
Reassess your priorities: Perhaps you have also appreciated a better quality of life over the summer, maybe you spent more time at home relaxing or doing the things you enjoy. Although you may think that this is no longer possible we are all so much healthier when we are happy with our lives, perhaps there is a little room for manoeuvre so that you can also keep your work life balance in order.
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