SECG Blog

Taking time out for yourself

SECG Blog - Taking time out for yourself

Dr Lisa Kouladjian O’Donnell
Research Fellow in Geriatric Pharmacotherapy and Clinical Pharmacist Educator, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Kolling Institute, NSW

 

What a year 2021 has been! If we thought that 2020 was going to be challenging as students and early career researchers, then we didn’t know what to expect for 2021!

At the end of the year, I always take time to reflect on the year that has been, including the highs, lows, challenges and achievements. In the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic, lockdowns and quarantines, juggling working from home, and teaching/learning from home, on top of the pressures of life generally, it is ever so important to make sure we all take some WELL-DESERVED time out!

We all know the benefits of taking some time out on mental and physical well-being, so I thought that we can all benefit from a small (non-exhaustive) go-to check list:

  • Do something active: whether it’s going for a walk, a run or spending some time with your kids in the park, exercise can boost your brain’s productivity.
  • Pamper yourself: What do you enjoy having done? A massage? Manicure/Pedicure? Hair? All of the above? All of these can boost self-esteem and help you feel calmer.
  • Take a nap (if you can) or meditate: switching off your phone, closing your eyes and observing your breathing (I bet you’re observing your breathing as you’re reading this!).
  • Laugh! Take some time to catch up with beloved family and friends, or even watch a silly movie (my favourite is Happy Gilmore!). Laughing releases endorphins and reduces stress.
  • Do something different: whether it’s taking up a new hobby, gardening, taking a language class, or my personal favourite – re-organise your home because you’ve been watching too much Marie Kondo (I realise this can be stressful for some so I wouldn’t encourage it if it does).
  • Finally, I think it’s important to understand that even though we are going into a new year, the arbitrary change of date event doesn’t mean the issues surrounding COVID-19 will disappear. I hope that even though these are difficult times, you take some time out for yourself.

Dr Lisa Kouladjian O’Donnell is a Research Fellow in Geriatric Pharmacotherapy and Clinical Pharmacist Educator, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Kolling Institute, NSW. She was awarded her PhD in 2016 from the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney for research in developing strategies to improve prescribing and clinical outcomes in older Australians. She has led the development and validation of The Drug Burden Index Calculator© and the Goal-directed Medication review Electronic Decision Support System (G-MEDSS)© - computerised clinical decision support systems that are designed to aid deprescribing for accredited pharmacists and general practitioners during medication reviews. Lisa is the National AAG SECG working group lead - Communications.