During hard times, it is even more important to look after yourself so that you can continue forward, be there for others and remain resilient. Not only that, but taking care of yourself means you can be better for you!
Here are some ways to do that during turbulent times.
1. Tend to your needs
News flash: These are not ‘selfish’ or ‘nice to haves’. These things really help you to thrive and keep going over a prolonged period. Spend time thinking about what these are for you and find ways to factor them into each day.
For example, you may need:
exercise to help you feel in control
ten minutes in the morning to prepare for your day
to write lists to feel organised
to talk to your partner at the end of the day to offload
a cuddle to help you feel supported
to agree a plan of action to feel secure
quiet in your own place of sanctuary to rationalise your thoughts
more communication than usual to ensure clarity
Whatever it is for you, when you get these met, you can be there for those around you, you can find strength in each day and you will perform better.
Firming these up in your mind will help you communicate them to those around you - whether friends, family or colleagues. Doing this important step will make it easier to get these met.
2. Allow yourself to feel what you feel
In hard times, we suppress the emotions that make us feel uncomfortable. However hard we try to ignore them, they will find ways to come out eventually, and this is more likely to be via random behaviour, extreme reactions or in helpful ways.
Embrace the things that you feel - be it pain, or fear, or sadness. From the second you acknowledge those feelings, you will feel a small sense of relief.
3. Celebrate the wins - however small
Focusing on what you have achieved, what has gone well and positive actions helps to create a more motivated outlook. Try and capture these each day and create a ritual - whether noting them down, thinking of them on a daily walk or sharing them with a friend. Retraining your thoughts to look for the wins will help this become more habitual.
4. Let go of being ‘perfect’
Give yourself a break, you are doing the best you can. It’s important to remember that days will feel up and down, the world is all a bit random at the moment. This time will pass and you will come out the other side. Judging yourself and holding yourself to ‘perfect’ will only bring you down.
Let go, look after yourself and remember how strong you are.
Gemma Brown is an associate certified coach with the International Coach Federation, working with people to navigate successfully through transitions - be it career, relationships or life in general. Her belief is that when we confidently bring our whole selves to all areas of life, anything is possible. Transitions exist in both our personal and business life, and so often, the two fiercely overlap. Coaching with Gemma focuses on you as a whole, enabling you to identify your strengths, build confidence and to live a life with increased purpose and direction. Gemma is based in Cambridgeshire and carries out face to face coaching in the area as well as 1-2-1 coaching via Skype and Zoom. For more about Gemma, visit her 'About' page or contact her directly.