After playing much of the past 18 months very cautiously – rarely venturing too far from the safety of our apartment, I spent the past month in London – arriving just before what was dubbed ‘Freedom Day’ – the day when the majority of Covid restrictions were lifted across the UK.
And it’s been interesting to see how my mental and physical state has changed over the past few weeks.
I’ve moved from being incredibly anxious and cautious – avoiding crowded places, busy stores and eating inside restaurants, to being much more relaxed in those environments, and feeling like I can once again enjoy activities that were a part of my pre-Covid life. I’m still exercising caution, of course, but freer from anxiety.
Physically I am benefitting as well, enjoying long walks in London’s beautiful parks, and discovering previously unexplored parts of the city – simple pleasures that I’ve missed so much. Meanwhile watching the step counter on my Health app return to healthier levels unseen since last summer.
However, whilst England appears to be thankfully over the worst of the Delta variant, other countries are only now dealing with its arrival, resulting in the reintroduction of some restrictions.
I returned to the Netherlands this week, where the easing of restrictions earlier this summer resulted in an immediate spike in infections that prompted a fast U-turn and subsequent tentative easing.
But one key learning for me from my weeks in London that I have brought back to Amsterdam is to try to live as fully as I can within the scope of what is possible. Still acknowledging the virus as an ever-present threat, but spending as much time outside as possible, returning to museums and galleries where social distancing is in place for well-needed inspiration and mental stimulation, and proactively reaching out to suggest meet-ups with friends and colleagues – rather than locking myself away from the world at home.
But how are you feeling about the ‘return to normal’ whatever that looks like where you are?
From mental anxieties such as those I experienced, to practical challenges such as childcare. Maybe your place of work, or your favourite gyms or lunch hangouts have suffered closure? As many of us make those first steps back towards normal, we’re realising that life isn’t the same as it was in myriad ways.
But maybe that isn’t entirely a bad thing. Perhaps some enforced lifestyle changes offer us a rare opportunity to consider many of our life choices, and start anew with different ones, that maybe better for ourselves, our families, our communities and our planet.
And that is the theme of this week’s The Power Up, as we explore the topic of returning to normal from various angles:
In this week’s issue:
- A once-in-a-lifetime chance to start over
- How to cope with the stress of returning to the office after a year of WFH
- 7 tips for getting back into a workout routine if the pandemic disrupted yours
- 33 ways to reclaim your social life
- Hybrid work: How to maximise your in-office days
- How to design a better body
- How to tell if you have a ‘social hangover’
- 6 of the best airlines for vegan meals
Plus plenty of bonus content too.
As ever, I hope you find something in this edition that helps you in whatever you’re experiencing right now in these unprecedented times.
Enjoy!
RETURNING TO ‘NORMAL’ / FEATURE
A once-in-a-lifetime chance to start over
As we prepare to more fully re-enter the World after 18 months of disruption to our work, relationships and life, don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acknowledge that all was not perfect before.
This article lays out a plan to not return to normal.
RETURNING TO ‘NORMAL’ / WORK
How to cope with the stress of returning to the office after a year of WFH
Just as it took some time and mental energy to get used to working from home at the start of the pandemic, it’s going to take some re-adjusting to office life — particularly because there’s so much anxiety about how exactly that will look.
Whether you’re anxious because you’re unsure if your office will be properly socially distanced, because you’re going to the office for the first time after starting a job remotely, or because you feel weird about the etiquette of wearing masks or not, many of us are experiencing anxiety of some kind.
If this sounds familiar, this article lays out five ways to cope with the various challenges you may be experiencing as you head back to mingle with your co-workers once more.
RETURNING TO ‘NORMAL’ / BODY
7 tips for getting back into a workout routine if the pandemic disrupted yours
Despite the best efforts of the likes of Joe Wicks, studies have shown that many people who were very physically active before the pandemic are yet to return to pre-Covid activity levels. (Unless you’re over-65 – an age bracket in which people have been more likely to bounce back with their physical activity).
This can be for many reasons. In my personal case, I’m missing a 30-mins-each-way cycling commute. But you may be less motivated to exercise if feelings of isolation have dented your mental health. Depending on where you live, you may also have fewer opportunities to exercise because of gym closures and working from home.
But whether your workouts have been disrupted by gym closures, increased family responsibilities, or difficulty staying motivated, this article shares seven tips that may help you get back on track.
RETURNING TO ‘NORMAL’ / SPIRIT
How to cope with the stress of returning to the office after a year of WFH
However happy we may feel about putting the last 18 months behind us, re-emerging from the experience isn’t going to be without its challenges.
Whether you have re-entry anxiety or can’t wait to get out there, there are going to be adjustments to make.
With that in mind, Mr Porter asked a broad range of experts for tips to help us navigate the transition, including situations that might present themselves in our relationships, our professional and social lives and on our plans as we move forward.
The world is not as it was, but with helpful resources like this, it’s possible to head back into it with a spring in your step.
R E C O M M E N D E D
Hangover-free mixology with Three Spirit Drinks
If returning to socialising for you means increased temptation to drink alcohol – that maybe you’d been happy to cut back on – then Three Spirit Drinks are the solution.
Crafted from plant-based active ingredients used for centuries in ceremonies and potions to stimulate the palate, mind and body, Three Spirits’ range can be enjoyed in cocktails, with mixers, or over ice, for a more sophisticated booze-less livener.
R E C O M M E N D E D
Ethical fashion, home & gifts at Know the Origin
Whether you’re refreshing your wardrobe for a return to office, looking for gifts, or home essentials, before you rush back to the High Street, consider the supply chains of your products – and first check Know the Origin – an online marketplace with the broadest range of certified brands.
I’m a big fan of KtO because of its mission to set new standards of sustainability and make ethical the norm, for everyone.
B O N U S
C O N T E N T
Hybrid work: How to maximise your in-office days
Working out how to divide tasks between home and the office are key to success in hybrid working.
How to design a better body
As we rebuild how we work, socialise, and travel, it’s a perfect moment to reimagine our relationship with our bodies.
If you’re feeling exhausted, you’re not alone
The pandemic was and remains exhausting in so many invisible ways — and we still haven’t given ourselves space to recover.
How to tell if you have a ‘social hangover’
And how to minimise one if you’re noticing the fatigue from a return to human interaction.
How you can use the post-pandemic ‘clean slate’ to reset your habits
Science has proven that significant moments of transition our ideal for starting and maintaining new habits.
Flying again? These are 6 of the best airlines for vegan meals
Stashing snacks in your carry-on could be a thing of the past.
Resist old routines when returning to the office
What worked before might no longer be so effective, or beneficial.
“In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.”
DAVE HOLLIS
