Worthing Lifestyle May - Jun 2021

Top tips to step back to normality
Dr Hilary Jones provides useful tips regarding moving forward during the pandemic
Many of us have spent the past year in the
comfort of our own homes, establishing
a work routine from our bedrooms or
living rooms, adapting exercise and diet
regimes, and finding alternative ways to
communicate with friends and family.
Lockdown created a welcome slow-down
for many people, allowing us to reflect on
our fast-paced lives and spend more time
looking after ourselves. As restrictions
gradually ease and more freedoms are
granted, it may lead you to feel conflicting
emotions, so to help during this confusing
time, I have provided my top tips to step
back into normality, including:
Go at your own pace
Take time for yourself
Reconnect with loved ones
Get enough sleep
Put your health first and get regular check
ups
Although friends and family may be
excited for their COVID bubbles to burst
as measures begin to loosen, it is normal if
you feel overwhelmed and anxious at the
thought of slowly returning back to your
hectic pre-COVID life.
My top tip
Try to take each step at a time - you don’t
have to jump straight back into your old
routine. If going on a walk is enough for
one day, stick with it, but try to build on
this every day. Perhaps meet up with
a friend or grab a coffee from the local
shop - stepping out of your comfort zone,
gradually and responsibly, can help reestablish
a routine that works for you.
Take time for yourself
As we adjust to yet another big change,
it’s more important than ever to look after
30 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
ourselves and take note of how we are
feeling. You may think you have taken too
much time for yourself over the last year,
however, as life picks up its pace again,
it is likely you will crave more me-time,
so be conscious to allow yourself these
moments.
My top tip
Think about an activity that is just for
you – for example reading a book before
bed, taking a bath, or watching a movie.
Practising mindfulness by taking 5 minutes
every day to focus on your breath is an
exercise that can help you feel relaxed,
ease anxiety and enable you to focus on
the present, giving yourself the time that
you need.
Reconnect with loved ones
Communicating with others can help keep
our spirits up, lessen feelings of isolation
and anxiety, and make new memories.
The pandemic has made it difficult for
the majority of us to connect with friends
and family, with most interaction having
taken place at a social distance or behind
a screen, so it is an exciting feeling being
able to reunite with those close to you once
more.
My top tip
As you begin to reconnect with your loved
ones, be attentive to any changes in their
health - you are much more likely to notice
any changes than they are, especially if
you haven’t seen them for a while. Have
you noticed your family member or friend
having difficulty following the conversation,
for example? Then suggest they get their
hearing tested - Hidden Hearing’s 5-minute
online hearing test – available at www.
campaignforbetterhearing.co.uk can
provide an immediate insight into how well
they are hearing.
Thanks to the support of The National
Campaign for Better Hearing, you or your
loved one could be nominated to receive a
top of the range hearing aid.
Get enough sleep
You will probably find your sleeping pattern
change as our day-to-day activities get
busier. Going back to work, doing more
exercise and socialising will have a bigger
impact on our energy levels than we might
think, so getting enough rest is key.
My top tip
Try to stick to a regular sleeping routine,
going to sleep and waking up at a similar
time each day, and aim for at least eight
hours sleep a night. If you struggle to get
some shut eye, reduce screen time, avoid
caffeine before bed and exercise regularly.
Put your health first by having
regular check ups
Your health may have taken a backseat
during the pandemic, and you may not
have had your regular health checks, such
as going to the dentist or getting your
eyesight and hearing tested. However,
it is important to take the initiative and
book these appointments so that you can
fully enjoy life’s magical moments postlockdown.
My top tip
As restrictions ease and summer comes
along, you want to be able to absorb your
senses to feel connected to the world
around you once more – including hearing
the birds outside, people watching in the
bustling streets, and ordering that long
awaited drink at your local pub. Prioritise
your hearing health by booking a free
hearing test at your local Hidden Hearing
centre - call 0800 037 2060 or visit www.
hiddenhearing.co.uk/hidden-hearing