"I've learned how to relax" - Nikita Takhar
"I work full time which usually doesn’t leave me with much free time during the week but working from home during the pandemic has done wonders for my work life balance and my wellbeing."
In ‘normal’ times I would struggle to juggle work, commuting, exercise, walking, seeing friends, spending time with my partner and family along with trying to have ‘me’ time. I’ve always been very health conscious and made time for my mental health – walking, cooking, writing a journal but it’s always been a push to fit everything in resulting in me not knowing how to relax.
The pandemic has completely changed my lifestyle and taught me how to relax and prioritise myself. Working from home allows me to wake up later (sleep is a huge part of me being functional and happy!), exercise before work or on my lunch, go for a walk every lunch time, cook and try new recipes, bake (a little too much!) and watch tv (I still only watch tv a couple of times a week but I’m getting better at sitting still). Developing a routine and planning my week has always been important to me but I’ve learnt to go with the flow a bit more because I have the time to do so.
Each new lockdown I’ve set myself goals to achieve – moving my room around, running 12km, reaching 110,000 steps per week – all centred around things I enjoy and that keep me happy but also it’s allowed me a sense of achievement and short term aims. I’ve also organised several ‘events’ with my family such as a bar crawl (around different rooms in the house), obstacle courses, afternoon tea and themed evenings which has given me things to do and goals to strive towards.
However, like others I’ve struggled with not seeing my partner much, not being able to look towards the future, not being able to see my family and friends but I’m learning to take things one day at a time and be grateful for this ‘down time’.
