Since March 2020, I’ve slept more than ever. Although I didn’t feel depressed in the classic sense, it was evident that news of the pandemic and the lockdowns had an effect on my emotional well-being—as they did with pretty much everyone else in one way or another.
But was that rest invigorating? Not at all.
Even now, I find it hard to stay focused on the task before me. I’ve streamed more TV shows and watched more YouTube videos than is advisable. Needless to say, these activities (or lack thereof) haven’t refreshed or recharged me.
I had hoped to add 20,000 words to my YA speculative fiction novel during July. Nope! That didn’t happen. I did write several thousand words for my clients. So, there’s that.
So, if sleeping, watching TV, and binging YouTube aren’t the kind of rest writers need, what can renew and recharge us?
Healthy Food
We’ve all heard of “the COVID 19,” the weight many of us have gained over the last year and a half. The combination of inactivity, comfort food, and heavy heartedness has taken its toll. While there’s no need to beat ourselves up about it—and no benefit to be gained by doing so, eating healthy food will make us feel better long before it helps us shed that excess weight.
Lots of Water
Many of us have also decreased our water intake and increased our consumption of high calorie beverages. Not a fan of water from the tap? Caffeine-free, herbal tea counts, as does my favourite way to drink enough water, the many flavours of calorie-free sparkling water that are now available. I’m still drinking iced coffee and iced chai lattes, but I’m limiting those.
Adequate Physical Activity
You knew I was going to mention exercise. It really does go a long way to improve our mental well-being as well as our physical health. Now may not be the time to start a brand-new exercise routine, but going for a walk or a bike ride, getting out and playing catch with your kids, or going for a swim, may be just what you need. Personally, I love a good resistance workout, but I have to get back into the habit and take it slowly. There’s nothing like overdoing it to sabotage my efforts.
Fresh Air and Sunshine
No matter how much we love our home and our family, the past 17 months have shown us how much we need to leave our four walls from time to time. A walk in the fresh air will do wonders for our peace of mind as well as count toward the physical activity we need.
Social Interaction
Whether you’re an introvert or an extra-extrovert like me, you were made for social interaction. My hubby and I helped friends move recently, and when Sandra gave me a hug, I was flooded with the realization of just how much I’d been missing human contact. While you may not be a hugger, you may be surprised at just how big a void you’ve experienced because of the isolation. No wonder we’re tired and many of us haven’t been near as productive as we would have liked.
A Schedule
Sometimes, the extra motivation of a (flexible) schedule can keep us on track. Including “white space” on our schedule that we devote to those things that charge our batteries (i.e.: pleasure reading, listening to an educational/motivational podcast, working on one of our own creative projects, etc.) can go a long way to refreshing us.
And yes …
Consistent Sleep Habits
I’ve never been great at going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, but it’s a good habit to develop. As long as we’re getting adequate sleep and recharging with other forms of “rest,” we should have increasing stores of creative energy to get back to those projects that we may have set aside.
While some of these suggestions
don’t sound like rest, if true rest is what renews, refreshes, and recharges
us, we just may need to broaden our definition.
Dear Steph, you nailed it when you said, "There’s nothing like overdoing it to sabotage my efforts."
ReplyDeleteI'm learning to set a kinder pace for myself in all areas of life. It's a challenge at times. But I feel much better when I do.
Hugs. Yes. I missed them. A. Lot
Blessings as you continue to exercise self-kindness - Wendy Mac 🕊️
Thanks, Steph Beth. These practical suggestions are so helpful to maintain a balanced life. I particularly liked you suggestion of "white space" to recharge our energies, inspire, and refresh us.
ReplyDeleteWow, Steph! This is such a great post. There is so much truth here. I usually claim that the pandemic hasn't really affected me much on a personal level, but i see so much of what you say to be true. (Gained weight... uh-huh...binge watching too much TV... uh-huh...erratic sleep patterns...uh-huh...) Your list is spot on. I hope lots of people read this one.
ReplyDeleteDo you ever get inspired by what you watch? I've been binge-watching disaster videos of late. One thing stands out. Victims rarely pay attention to warning signs. The Edmonton tornado of 1987 is a good example. "We never get tornadoes," people told me before that fateful day. Like the folks in Noah's day, people paid for their disbelief.
ReplyDeleteSteph, have you been eavesdropping on my life? The "COVID 19 Slide" is what I call it ... that gradual downhill slip into a mild, inactive depression that I beat myself up about. "I have a great life! I shouldn't be feeling/acting like this!" You know the self-talk. But in light of what we've all been through these past 17 months, it's no wonder some of us feel this way. Thank you for some practical, doable suggestions of how to help ourselves out of the slump. For me it requires practicing some self-discipline and self-kindness.
ReplyDeleteI especially appreciate this part of your closing sentence, "If true rest is what renews, refreshes, and recharges us, we just may need to broaden our definition." We each have our own definition of what renews, refreshes and recharges us. Thanks for pointing that out.
Steph Beth (just saying your name out loud is restful) thank you for the vulnerability and tips for rest. It really has been a struggle but sharing helps.
ReplyDelete