BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO THE OFFICE - Starting on the right foot with the new term.

September was always a month of holiday blues, nostalgia for warm breezy evenings spent by the sea with family and friends but due to this pandemic- infused year not everyone had a chance to get a way and those who did spend their vital and financial energy on PCR tests nervously checking for updates on green, amber or red list countries.

But no matter what happens globally September always arrives unexpectedly reminding us of the long year ahead. September requires to be more organised, more accountable and more proactive.

Do you know how every year you make a firm promise to start preparing for September ahead of time in order to get into the rhythm of things in a relaxed manner, imagining yourself being on top of things, sorting out kids school uniform, decluttering the house, having a clear plan of action, organising work schedule, etc., but somehow you don’t seem to be able to stick to it?! This year is no different.

As the restrictions in the uk are being lifted; the schools are going back to live teaching and most of the companies are welcoming their employees back to their offices, the uncertainty is still very prominent. Not everyone is prepared and ready to go back to how things were and here is why. Globally we just went through the hardest period of our lifetime where tomorrow is no longer promised.

We all are experiencing mild form of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) where there is no obvious threat in sight yet our minds are on the look out. The big question that tormenting the mind is “What if?”.

So how do you unscramble and rewire your brain and find that inner peace and equilibrium to move forward?

Here are our top 5 tips on how to get back into the rhythm of things: 1. Calm and Collective Having a calm collective mind means making clear, rational decisions. Mindful practices such as yoga and meditation can help to reduce the noise around and help you to see the bigger picture. It allows you to make decisions from prefrontal neo-cortex, the rational part of the brain verses the limbic system, the emotional part. 2. You are a Bad Ass Remind yourself what a bad ass you really are by tapping into your past experiences where you overcame life challenges. 3. Create one good habit. Making small steps means you’re more likely to stick to them. For example:

• Wake up half an hour earlier to breathe, journal or simply sit in a quiet place where you’re able to hear yourself.

• Go for a daily run or walk to get those endorphins flowing.

• Drink more water.

• Go to bed earlier.

• Read more.

4. Create healthy boundaries This goes for home and work environment and practice them. For example:

• I will not reply work emails after certain hours

• I will create space for myself daily

• I will not engage with people or situations that trigger me

• I will stop blue screen time one hours before going to bed

• I will create quality time with my kids…

5. Be gentle with yourself. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t have a clear plan, if you’re not sure what you want to do and where you want to be. It’s ok to feel lost, confused and not have it all worked out. Sometimes wonderful things can come out of a mess. Remember, those are only terms and the mind interprets them according to your previous experiences and old wounds. So give yourself a break from analysing, adapt one day at a time approach with no expectations and see how things start to unfold by themselves. Don't forget to sign up to our blog posts you so you get them in your email each month!