3 Steps for your team to Transform Pandemic Burnout? {Power of WE}

If anyone had told us what the year 2020 would hold in store for us, it’s fair to say that we would never have believed them.

Yet here we are, 12 months into a pandemic, now re-entering on the other side of a new normal, self-isolation, and a global movement for racial equity, both of which have changed the nature of our society and ourselves. The sheer scale of these changes has left many of us feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and overloaded, resulting in what is being termed Pandemic Burnout.

What is Pandemic Burnout, and why is it different?

Here's how and 3 steps to shift this pattern for you and your team at the end of this week's newsletter or you are invited to watch the interactive video here.

When Covid-19 appeared in early 2020, many of us hoped and believed it wouldn’t be around for long. A few months of social restriction and changes to working practices and we’d be back to normal in no time. Fast forward to furloughs, financial uncertainty, and the global outcry following the death of George Floyd, and there is a realization that ‘normal’ is no longer a destination we can return to. The road ahead feels uncertain, ‘short-term’ covid solutions have become a yearlong reality, and conversations about race and racism in this country can feel like an overbearing everyday occurrence. In short, we’re exhausted.

Where do we go from here?

With a vaccination roll-out across the country, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. The good news is that as we travel towards it, we can let out a small sigh of relief while also acknowledging that our community needs more than a roadmap to recovery, we also require racial equity, and time for self-care.

Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated, in fact it works best when it’s borne out of self-awareness,= when we tune into our bodies and our minds. Take the time now to silently ask yourself honestly what you need in this moment, you will probably be surprised by the simplicity of your answer. Very often the most powerful forms of self-care are found in our everyday life, we just have to make a little more room for them.

Rest and re-connection are self-care in action

Taking the time to rest and connect with others is vital for our well-being. Sometimes it’s a case of giving ourselves permission to slow down, to express our feelings, and to be supported without worrying that to do so is a sign of weakness. When burnout strikes, many of us tend to shut down, it can feel hard to be around others when we’re exhausted, we may worry that our burnout makes us a burden. It doesn’t. We all need support in moments of uncertainty and taking the time to rest strengthens our spirit and reinvigorates us to face the road ahead, together. Share this article with a colleague who needs inspiration or additional tools in there toolbox today, or add their email here.

Can you and your team members or constituents make room this week, or this month for a moment of rest or re-connection? Before you state all the reasons you can’t, I’ll end with this point.

Self-care is a form of strength, and if this year has taught us anything it’s that connection and community are needed more than ever before.

3 steps to shift this Pandemic Burnout, and remember you are not alone:

Step 1: make room this week, or this month for a moment of rest or re-connection. Schedule it now, as I like to say... Bold actions yields bold results

Step 2: Pick of a insightful read that will give you insight into your or others diverse experiences in real time: Black Fatigue

Step 3: Do you have a colleague you would share this with or would your team benefit from the power of WE (wellness and equity) from our unique approach? We invite you to schedule a meet and greet here: www.meetme.so/buildingkuumbahealthbridges

PS: If you do not wish to receive any more messages from us, or are not quite sure how we are connected and wish to opt-out, - we invite you now to press Unsubscribe below. In due respect to your privacy and work/life balance and team.

Thanks again.