You may have noticed that your social calendar is starting to fill up as we get closer and closer to ‘normalcy’: a dinner party here, a movie date there and maybe a few cocktails with friends along the way. However you decide to re-enter, it’s important to maintain a work-social-life balance so you can re-enter without experiencing burnout. We spoke to two wellness experts—Dr. Claudia Aguirre and Alyssa Petersel, LSMW—for their top tips for avoiding re-entry blues. To sum it all up: rest, re-enter, retreat, repeat.
1. Normalize boundaries to avoid FOMO
Socializing may seem exciting at first but it’s important to get comfortable with saying ‘no,’ especially when you start to lose out on time with yourself. Boundaries are part of self-care, in fact they are non-negotiable! Dr Claudia Aguirre, a neuroscientist and mind-body expert, reminds us that while FOMO is a natural effect of our social options opening up, you should “fight the urge to fill up your social calendar too quickly and make time for recovery.”
2. Reintroduce activities slowly
Have you ever worked out so hard that you couldn’t walk the next day? Think of social activities as just that—tough work. While it’s perfectly fine to start planning Friday night drinks with everyone you know, you should also consider easing into socializing to avoid burnout. “Schedule your social outings strategically so you have a balance between socializing and re-energizing at home,” says Dr Aguirre.
3. Focus on what you can control
While we can’t necessarily control every minor aspect of our lives, we do have influence over how we rest. “Sleep and sleep habits are one thing that we can do our best to maintain routine and control over,” says Alyssa Petersel, Founder & CEO of MyWellbeing, a platform offering wellness tips and therapist matchmaking services. Maintaining a regular rest and sleep schedule will help you regain a sense of control and normality. Besides, sleep is a powerful stress reliever. Following a regular sleep routine not only clams and restores the body; it also sets you up to better cope with the stress and anxiety that may naturally arise from evolving routines.
4. Organize your thoughts to free up mental space
All this planning may leave you feeling scatterbrained. How can we organize it all? “I get it all out of my head, onto paper and into conversation,” says Petersel, “I then feel more organized and better equipped.” Petersel suggests using a journal, your notes app, an open Google Doc or even chatting to a professional to establish a method to all the madness.
5. Set aside me-time
The term ‘alone time’ may spark some negative feelings for most after isolation, however, it’s important to be able to rest and do something for you. “Five minutes a day that you are in control of […] will go a long way,” says Dr Arguirre. She suggests a warm shower to start or end your day, or a workout routine. Find what works for you and keep at it.