By Sarah Highfield, Yogagise
Photography by Cecilia Cristolovean www.yogaandphoto.com
Pandemic fatigue. Pandemic burnout. Pandemic depression. Pandemic anxiety… Can we turn this around?
If anyone claims to have been unaffected by the past 18 months, it would put them into a tiny minority, which I’m not even sure exists. This pandemic period has tested & challenged everyone in all areas of life, from family, to work, relationships, home life, social life, travel, personal freedoms… the list goes on.
However, it feels like we are finally turning a corner, that the virus is getting under control, an end is in sight and some areas of life will return to normal. I am feeling so much more hopeful & positive for the year ahead and while I’m not a psychologist, I do have some simple & practical tips, which have helped me to feel optimistic, that I would like to share. These are routine reminders and practices that have reinforced my sense of balance and happiness:
- Prioritise self-care: Self-care is important to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself. Being conscious of your mental, physical and emotional health will help you to feel good and stay motivated. Create little rituals that you can do throughout your week, from making an effort to go for a walk at lunchtimes, to calling a family member or friend for a catch up, to taking a relaxing bath. Sometimes we forget to do the little things that fulfil us.
- Be present: Try to focus on what is happening now, because the past has already happened and cannot be changed. Dwelling on the past is like reading the same chapter of a book over and over again and expecting the ending to change. Every day is a gift, what you can do and achieve today is more real than anything you can imagine.
- Look for the positives: If you focus on all the negative aspects of a situation, you will never see the positives. There is truth to the quote “A negative mind will never give you a positive life”, for while you cannot always control what is happening around you on the outside, you can control what happens inside, so choose to look for the positives.
- Roll with the punches: Every experience we have is an opportunity for us to evolve for the better, and if we can keep this in mind when things don’t go our way, we will feel more upbeat and inspired through life.
- Adopt a growth mindset: When life throws you a curveball, instead of asking yourself “Why me?”, ask “What now?”. The pandemic period has taught us a lot about being resourceful, patient & understanding, so use that knowledge & wisdom to thrive & grow.
- Learn to forgive: When you forgive people, you let go of grudges, anger and hurt. The very act of forgiveness enables you to move forward. We all have people in our lives that have upset us, and it can be hard to let go of pent-up emotions, but being unable to forgive often harms you the most.
- Practice gratitude: Become aware of what you are grateful for, or even consider starting a gratitude diary and begin by writing down a few things you are appreciative of at the end of each day. Practicing gratitude helps you to focus on the good things in your life.
- Be social: We are happier when being social and interacting with people we know and like. Whether it’s making an effort to put your phone away during dinner, reconnecting with an old friend, or making new friends. Prioritise people over things like the TV, while it’s tempting to spend the weekend catching up on boxsets, check in with your family and friends first because you will have a more meaningful day.
- Know where to invest your energy: Avoid wasting your energy on things that you don’t enjoy, things that don’t matter or things that suck up your time for no good reason. Your time isn’t infinite and everyone wants it, so spend your energy on the things that make you happier and motivate you.
- Give back: If you can support other people around you, then do so. It can be as simple as helping a friend move house, donating to charity, volunteering in your local community or even cooking a meal for someone. Giving back keep things in perspective and spreads kindness.
- Spend time outdoors: Being outdoors boosts your body’s circadian rhythm, which is the internal clock that controls alertness, mood, physical strength, and when you need to sleep.
- Yoga: I couldn’t complete this list without a little on yoga. Of course, I live and breathe yoga, it’s my job and I love it. However, something that is important to me as a Yoga Teacher, is that it’s a practice which fits into your day, your way. Many studies show that a regular yoga practice helps you to lower your stress levels, cultivate a healthy relationship with your mind & body, and improve your overall confidence. If you struggle to fit a yoga class into your day, try to fit in just a few poses that you enjoy. For example, if you have just ten minutes spare, pick three or four yoga poses that you like and do them. There’s no rule that says yoga must be done for an hour minimum, and ten minutes of yoga is better than none at all.
If there’s one thing you take away from this article…
One of my favourite movie quotes is from Shawshank Redemption, when Andy Dufresne tells Red: “Get busy living or get busy dying.” It’s really corny but it’s so true. We can either choose to live with a cloud over us, or we can make the best of a situation with the tools that we have.
More About Sarah
Born in Hong Kong and based in London, Sarah Highfield is the founder of Yogagise Yoga. She has taught at prominent studios including Bodyism London & Yogabambam Hong Kong; she teaches on Yoga Teacher Trainings, as well as at high profile events including Om Yoga Show London and World Yoga Festival.
She has featured on the covers of Om Yoga Magazine, Liv Magazine Hong Kong, Natural Health Magazine (wearing Manduka in all of the cover photos, no less!), was voted by London Evening Standard as one of London’s Top 10 Yoga Teachers to follow on Instagram, and has appeared in The Times, The Financial Times, Daily Mail, BBC News, Vanity Fair & Marie Claire UK magazine. Sarah believes there is a style of yoga for everyone and encourages students to discover what works for them.
Visit her website for more information: www.yogagise.com or follow her on social media: @yogagise
Sarah Highfield is a London-based Yoga Teacher at Yogagise Yoga. For more information please visit:
- Website: www.yogagise.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/yogagise
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/yogagise
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/yogagise
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/sarahhighfield
