Anyone else already completely forgotten what it felt like to not have an appointment to get to, traffic to battle or school lunches to pack? Lockdown ended 11 weeks ago, but if you’re anything like me, it feels like a lifetime has passed since we were forced to avoid the hustle and bustle of ‘normal’ life. Now we’re back into it full throttle and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the amount we ‘need’ to get done.

Whether you’re busy catching up on lost time, working hard to re-strategise to keep things afloat, or burning the candle at both ends trying to fulfil fresh demand for your goods or services, I’ve heard many kiwi business owners admitting to throwing the baby out with the bathwater and forgetting about the small pleasures that came with lockdown’s slower pace of life. 

We all know entrepreneurs are notoriously bad at taking care of themselves, so I want to focus this week on ways we can all recommit to the parts of lockdown that were good for us and our families. After all, taking some time to chill is exactly what NZ needs you to do right now.

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater…

Lockdown, while frustrating and worrying, also came with its merits. Many of us enjoyed quality family time in our bubbles, prepped healthy home cooked meals, made use of resources at home and maybe even got around to cleaning out the cutlery drawers! So, while we get busy getting back to business, let’s make sure it’s not at the expense of our health and happiness.  Here are some simple ways to get that healthy balance back.

Build ‘me time’ into your day

Whether it’s a run before work, a quiet cup of tea before bed, or some mindful journaling, Finding a moment each day to check in with yourself and your thoughts is paramount. Not only does it help you prioritise what’s meaningful to you, it allows your busy brain to descramble. If you’re one of the many who scoff that you ‘don’t have time’ to rest, make time. Literally book some ‘me time’  into your diary every day; don’t shortchange yourself.

Nourish your body

The novelty of McDonald’s will hopefully be over again by now, so it’s time to get back to reaching for food that will nourish your mind and body. If this requires you to meal plan, or take a healthy packed lunch into the office each day, do that, you’ll likely find you save money in the process. Equally, make sure you’re moving enough. The human body was not designed to be sat behind a computer all day; our mental and physical health requires us to move at least every 30 minutes. Find ways to break up your screen time and aim to get some focussed exercise sessions in a few times each week too. You’ll be healthier, happier and more creative for it.

Find a hobby

We all need a break from work. Even the most successful entrepreneurs manage to find ways to unwind by focusing on non-work related activities at least once a week. So, whether it’s cooking, baking, stamp collecting or swinging a golf club, find your thing and prioritise it.

Give yourself a break 

Research shows a holiday is invigorating and productivity boosting, as is planning for a break; it gives us something to look forward to. Forget about waiting for borders to open, New Zealand genuinely has some of the best adventure and hospitality in the world and kiwis around the country are loving getting more familiar with their own backyard. So get out and explore it for yourself; you’ll be doing yourself and your country a huge favour.

Not sure where to head? Let us whet your appetite!