keep. going. : three ways to care for yourself as you change the world
There is a lot going on in the world.
I find it is so easy to get caught up in everything out of my control in the world…and lose what matters most: taking great care of myself.
In my fifteen + years of working with humans in the health, fitness, and wellness space, I have found that my tendency is shared by most people!
Why burnout happens
Change doesn’t happen overnight. Currently we are living with two pandemics: a global pandemic of racism, and a global pandemic of coronavirus.
In the beginning of an intervention, it’s relatively easy to make changes for the greater good. In regards to coronavirus, we all started washing our hands, staying in as much as possible, and wearing masks in public.
After George Floyd’s murder by a cop in Missouri, it was easy for all of us to rally together (virtually and physically) to demand an end to police brutality and racism. If you have been on social media, you have probably noticed black squares posted by businesses and individuals alike. You may be seeing petitions shared, people called out, you might have gotten called out.
Think about a time you wanted to change a behavior (New Years resolutions are a great place to look). You started out strong, saw some results, and then suddenly one day life got in the way.
Very similar to personal goals, consider how our society has responded to Covid. Fast forward a few weeks or months, and we have gotten complacent. In Arizona, where I live, we have had exponential growth in confirmed coronavirus cases. Yet, you go to a grocery store and people are not keeping distance or wearing masks. In fact, scientists have determined that our spike in cases is due to a relaxed attitude in coronavirus, paired with Memorial Day partying shortly after the state reopened.
I’ve been listening a lot because I am ignorant about social justice. Many of the Black leaders who have been doing this work for years (decades) are concerned that our support will fade out with the news cycle.
In all honesty, I worry about that, too.
I would prefer to go back to “pre covid” life.
I would like to put my head in the sand and pretend that America is the country I grew up believing it was (freedom and equality for all).
I would like to wake up and magically have all of my pre-brain injury strengths back!
What are you wishing would be “normal” again?
And what actions can you take today to get there?
I picked three things that have helped me continue my recovery journey over the past two years of dealing with my brain injury and vision loss. These are tried and true techniques that have helped me, and countless clients, to continue with the difficult work.
practice excellent self care
Someone wiser than I said, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
Have you tried? That person was right.
Instead, fill up your cup first so that you have something to offer from yours when others need it. You will be so much better equipped to continue this difficult work if you are coming from a grounded, strong place.
Since self care is my area of expertise, I’ve filmed a short mindful minute video and it’s available on my instagram. Click the button below for something that will help fight Covid AND regulate stress!
2. forge connections with like-minded people
What I’m most thankful for from quarantine is finding the people who have my back no matter what, who respect my boundaries and protect their own, and who can accept me without trying to fix me.
I have also been so inspired by the business owners who pivot, the parents who take on homeschooling, and the health and fitness professionals I know who are also up to helping others.
On that note, I had a fantastic conversation with a woman I very much admire. Angie Miller is a Master Instructor for the National Academy of Sports Medicine and AFAA Group Exercise, and a Licensed Mental Health Therapist. We had a wonderful discussion sharing how to reset the nervous system in times of stress, and created a toolkit off mindful practices to boost positive emotion. In short, you won’t want to miss this talk!
Watch by clicking the button below.
3. have realistic expectations
“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” so good things take time to build.
That means:
patience is crucial
self care is crucial
having backup is crucial
Honestly, I hate that things won’t change by me pulling an overnighter all by myself. Part of me wants to shift to my default of doing it all, in one fell swoop, on my own.
Spoiler alert: that is why I have failed in the past.
Setting sustainable, realistic routines can be a game changer in resilience and longevity.
friends, my final tip is potentially the hardest
Be kind to yourself and understanding of ALL the stress going on in the world. Do your best, and keep showing up.
Xo