Life balance:

Now we can meet up in groups, many people are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Emma advises finding a balance

Emma Kenny

Over Easter I hosted three gatherings in my garden. It was lovely seeing those I’d missed, but it left me wiped out. You may have underestimated the impact lockdown has had on your energy – all of us are slightly different people to who we were pre-lockdown. While we all need lots of social activity, fun and freedom with those we hold dear, the key to transitioning from hermit to host is balance. You may be tempted to fill every weekend until December with social events, but it is wiser to gradually build up your social stamina to get the very best out of it, rather than burning out. Set aside time every day to practise a little self-imposed solitude and self-care. This can be 20 minutes of meditation, or a walk outdoors noticing nature. Reading a book can help reduce stress, as can any activity that just makes you stop. This daily me-time allows you to “check in” with your feelings. Simple pleasures like reading Closer curled up with a coffee reminds you that your needs matter. When organising events, try to stagger them. To start, maybe socialise once in the week and once at the weekend, so you look forward to connecting with loved ones, without feeling overwhelmed. You may find that once you are socialising again, your energy levels rise, and confidence soars. In this case, pack your diary to your heart’s content, but easing yourself in will ensure that you get the balance right between work, rest and play. After a year of upheaval that’s a balance every one of us needs to strike.