Spring is here!
Hello everyone and happy Wednesday!
We hope you are embracing the feelings of spring that seem to be in the air! The temperature is warmer and the sky is clearer and there are some hints of "normality" creeping back into our lives. But what is "normal" anymore?
April is stress awareness month and although gradual easing of restrictions is the light at the end of the tunnel, it can also bring with it additional feelings of stress, anxiety and overwhelm for many of us.
So how can we bring awareness to our stress levels? This is one of the reasons we added the second self-care session to our schedule. Taking some time in our day to stop, breathe and reconnect with ourselves may be all that we need to balance out any feelings of stress.
Even if just for 5 minutes, we always recommend taking regular breaks from your working day, especially if working from home!
We have all found our own routines, our own self care and our own flow during these past few months, and for many of us our priorities when it comes to "regular" daily life may have changed. There may be people in our lives that assume they know what post lockdown will look like for us. Similarly we may make those assumptions about our friends and family too.
There is such value in being honest with ourselves as well as with our loved ones. It is understandable that people are excited about parties and beer gardens, but it is also understandable to feel overwhelmed since we have gotten used to seeing only one or two people on a daily basis!
Our number 1 tip of reducing any type of stress is to avoid news feeds and social media. With easing restrictions, there is an increase in the number of news stories relating to the same thing along with the potential of extra FOMO! Our brains are not designed to be bombarded with these messages all day every day so do bring awareness to how much you interact with the media.
One of the major positives to have come out of the pandemic for us at team SMASH and some of the community that we have spoken with, is the increase of compassion and empathy for others. It has been a period of introspection and learning for many of us, so let's continue to live what our truth is, continue to support those that need us and take the opportunity to shape this new chapter however we choose, and on our terms.
We are all together in this and we have each other. Be kind to others and maybe more importantly, be kind to yourselves.
Have an amazing week. See you at a class very soon!
Sam, Ash and the SMASH team. x
