How to H.A.L.T. and rejuvenate to fight another day.
With all that is happening in the world and in YOUR world, it’s important to remember to take care of YOU. Political fights are long, brutal and taxing. Please do not listen to people who tell you to put the pedal to medal, nonstop, and eat, drink and live your cause. They are well meaning amateurs, who are excited (which is awesome and has its place). But experienced vets know that PACE is the key. Bring the zeal. Bring the fire. Bring the engagement. But bring the balance..so you'll LAST.
More importantly to know is that this won’t happen by accident. You will have to #Planyourpause . It will have to be intentional.
You are a limited resource. You can only go so long. You can only stretch so far. You can only take in so much. You can only grind so hard before something begins to suffer. It’s usually YOU. Social activism rips at our very core. It's not only mentally stimulating, but its also emotionally and sometimes even physically draining.
So regardless of what side you are on you cannot expect that you can internalize the daily negativity of the world’s political rollercoaster ride without it making you dizzy and exhausted.
Caring for myself is NOT self indulgence, it is self preservation, and THAT is an act of political warfare. -Audre Lorde
Whether you fight from your desk on your laptop or in the streets at a protest march, your whole being, becomes a part of your defense. The desire to stand for whatever you stand for is admirable….BUT.
If you are not using wisdom to navigate balance with how much you take in, how much you give out and when to detach, you are doing your cause a major disservice.
So before you make another post, donate to another cause or create another picket sign..use the well known H.A.L.T method. As you are making decisions to fight for your “team” determine are you:
H-Hungry (Your mind suffers when you are not nurtured appropriately)
A-Angry (You become reactive, emotional and sometimes irrational when you are angry)
L-Lonely (You feel needy for attention and are vulnerable to negative scrutiny just to be noticed)
T-Tired (When fatigue, your reactions are sluggish. You make decisions, say things or do things without thinking due to exhaustion)
If you diagnose any of these…try one or more of these keys to take care of your needs FIRST.
10 ideas for a little self care:
1. Go outside and play (take a walk, sit on the porch, work in the yard, ride your bike)
2. Get lost in a great book. Set your alarm for an hour and read a chapter or two in a book you have been meaning to read.
3. Stay off of your electronic devices for a half day (if you can do more, try it) but 12 hours can reset you without the intake of information.
4. Take a nap. Yes, a whole nap. Get in the bed, set an alarm and go to sleep.
5. Call an old friend or family member you’ve been meaning to connect with. Once you start talking, laughing and reminiscing you will get lost in a sea of great memories!
6. Eat a healthy home cooked meal. Follow a recipe and eat something different.
7. Put on your favorite record and take a dance break. My favorite is to go to YouTube and learn a new hustle.
8. Commute in silence. When you get in your car, it may be the only opportunity you have to get peace and quiet. Turn off your phone and radio and just ride.
9. Operate in your old hobby. When was the last time you went bowling, skating? Caught a movie? When to the mall instead of shopping online?
10. Hit the gym. Get on the treadmill, lift some weights and if your gym has a sauna or hot tub, take advantage of it.
Plan your pause. Be intentional about setting a regular schedule of self care to preserve your body, soul, spirit and emotions for the long haul. Use a calendar. Set alarms. Get your books together. Build your playlist. Make your appointment. Get BACK to the gym. Yes, being politically engaged is important, but so are you.
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Camille D. Jamerson is a global speaker, author & entrepreneur. She is the Senior Consultant and CEO of CDJ & Associates a boutique management consulting firm. As a former AA, EA, Chief of Staff and Head of Global Offices she lends her years of experience and expertise as the founder and admin of the LinkedIn Chief of Staff-The New C-Suite Leader group.
Her amazing assistant, Reema handles her wacky calendar and about 76–94% of the rest of her life as well. Reema can be reached at info@cdjandassociates.com to book CDJ for consulting or as a speaker for your next event, conference or workshop!
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