Life has never been more stressful than in the last year. COVID-19 has caused many of us to give up on our good habits, wave goodbye to willpower, and instead, sink onto the sofa whenever we can switch off Zoom and watch whatever new series has just appeared on Netflix.

However, letting go of your routine entirely can actually cause more stress. It can be difficult to get back on the wagon, but it will be worth it when you begin to feel like your old self again. Here are some tips for gradually getting back to your old self.

Get some support

Whatever your job, you will have been affected in some way by COVID-19. Even if you weren’t facing closures and job losses, just the imminent worry of what will happen next can be stressful and tiring and mean you end up just putting one foot in front of the other, rather than giving your job your full commitment. This might be time to get a bit of support. If you’re also now a homeschool teacher, look at lesson plans online at a side like https://studentreasures.com/teachers-lounge/lesson-plans/first-grade/ to give yourself a bit of assistance to get the job done.

Rebalance your sleep cycle

When we are stressed, sleep is one of the first things to go, and that’s a key sign that you’re putting yourself under undue pressure. Not only that, but studies have shown that getting less sleep than you need on a regular basis can contribute to weight gain, which can be another mood-killer if you’re used to a certain level of fitness. Begin by setting yourself a bedtime routine, and avoiding all tea, coffee, and other caffeinated drinks from about 6pm every evening. Different techniques will work for different people, so don’t give up on night one!

Decide if you need a list

Some people love having a list where they can keep everything written down, and make the tasks seem more tangible. But, if you’re finding that it seems like the list of jobs is never-ending, and the to-do list is hovering around you like a wasp at a picnic, then it’s time to reconsider whether a to-do list is really working for you. It might be that you are being unfair to yourself, and setting unreasonable expectations. Be kinder to yourself and allow time in the day to unwind.

Find constructive downtime activities

It’s all too easy to just flop down at the end of the day and let everything go. But, if this doesn’t feel like you, then it might be time to rethink your hobbies. If a night in front TV isn’t fulfilling anymore, then try doing something that is. Read a book, do some painting, or play a musical instrument. All these hobbies are relaxing, but might help you find yourself a bit more easily than another episode of Bridgerton.