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With the new year in full swing the country can take a collective sigh of relief. The election is behind us and with that comes a message that supports community; far from the divisiveness that was the normal for several years. So where do we go from here? With a pandemic that continues to cripple our livelihoods, strong political opposition, and continued racially inequality, it is a large pill to swallow. These days I find myself at a crossroads as I am sure many of you do. The good news is that we are not alone, and by practicing these simple hacks we can fight our way through these unprecedented times.
Accept Your Feelings
Feelings come with being a human. In other words, no one is immune to having them. Whether or not you care to express them is your choice but not recommended. Expressing your feelings and being honest with yourself can be a healthy way to release stress. When we take time to search for and discover what it is leading us down whatever emotional path, the process of healing a can begin. The key here is not to ruminate over your feelings which could open the doors to making the situation seem worse than it is. Remember, to feel is to be human. Accept how you feel and move on.
Limit Your Social Media
Social media plays a huge role in how we communicate. On a great day, it can lead us to share information on important issues and how to get active in our community; on a bad day, it can lead to anxiety-inducing misinformation. It pulls you in and before you know it, you are deep in the rabbit hole with no idea what you logged for in the first place.
Personally, I have removed all social media accounts from my phone. By only logging in on a computer or my phone browser I am not blindly browsing and more intentional. This brings me to my next point.
Intentionally Browse the News
In her Spotify podcast former First Lady, Michelle Obama, opened up about experiencing low-grade depression in 2020. Attributing her symptoms to the influx of violence and mistreatment of people of color in the midst of pandemic, it began to weigh on her. I too found this disheartening, leading to constantly reading the news because I was afraid to miss something important. In retrospect, that was not the answer.
As challenging as it may be, we must understand the most click-worthy material often appears first on news channels, and in different forms in social media.
Before you read the news, ask yourself why you are reading the news and what you hope to gain. By doing so you improve your intentions and can hold yourself accountable for the feelings you may have after.
If you are feeling super vulnerable, add limitations to your browsing altogether. The web is filled with timers and programs where you can track your online usage and time spent on different content. Similar to tracking your steps or physical health, tracking your online usage can be fun and worth the effort. Remember, you do not have to absorb everything.
Seek Valuable Connections
Human beings are social animals and most thrive for interaction. So, when we are told to limit in-person experiences it is no surprise our emotions get the best of us. It does not have to be that way. Our virtual experience and be a new way to meet people in a meaningful way. For example, events and social websites are now shifting the way their users connect. From professional development to virtual happy hours, and groundbreaking platforms like Club House, now is the time to build on our network in a way that will benefit your future.
Take Your Time and a Break
Working from home can be overwhelming when it comes to prioritizing your time and getting into a routine. Personally, a method that works best for me is what I like to call chunking. Chunking is simply setting blocks of time to complete a task then take a break. Not only does it work well when you have a heavy reading load and find yourself drifting off into the abyss, it extends your work cycle. In other words, taking active breaks can be energizing and allow you to work and accomplish more throughout the day. So, stretch it out, play an instrument, or engage in light reading between breaks and get back to it.
Healing can look different to many people depending on their experiences, and that is okay. What is important is to accept what happened, learn from it, and always remember that this too shall pass.
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Photo: Shutterstock
