Is this the new-normal we\u2019ve all been waiting for?\u00a0 If so, this COVID-normal is a bit of an anticlimax.<\/p>\n
The dictionary defines normal<\/strong> as: serving to establish a standard<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n It is now indeed standard<\/em> for schools and universities to wait for and plan around health restrictions and Education Department guidelines. Streaming, pre-recording and utilising digital channels are now vital and have become standard<\/em> in our communication plans. Signing into venues with QR codes would have bamboozled baby-boomers only a year ago \u2013 but now they are as quick to whip out their mobile phone camera as any millennial.<\/p>\n So to my point NSW\/ACT comrades, with all this new normal – why am I feeling so meh? Should we not have a grateful spring in our step and buzz of enthusiasm for 2021?<\/p>\n The wise wellbeing guru, Dr Andrew Fuller<\/u><\/a>\u00a0explains that in 2020 we all experienced a good dose of trauma. Despite this, those of us in schools and universities continued delivering to the high expectations of our stakeholders. We ran on adrenalin and this takes its toll.<\/p>\n He lists the common signs of trauma as the following;<\/p>\n Sound familiar? If you ticked off most of these in your mind \u2013 fear not, you are in very good company.<\/p>\n More importantly than this impressive list of ailments is the antidote. Of course you need to get good quality sleep, exercise and remember to breathe, however, it is in finding ways to meaningfully help others, connect and be kind that you start to truly heal yourself.<\/p>\n Dr Andrew Fuller<\/a> explains this far better than I, in his article; How not to get PTSD and remain relatively sane<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Connect, protect and respect<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kindness<\/em><\/strong> and love<\/strong> are our oldest medicines and our best protective mechanisms. Add to this hope<\/strong> and connectedness<\/strong> and we have the four most powerful ingredients of healing. When we develop these in families and communities, we enrich lives.<\/em><\/p>\n Each ingredient alone may not cure a case of the flu or a virus but together they will help you resist disease, lower stress, lower blood pressure, avoid a heart attack, protect against depression, increase academic results & longevity and help you live a happier life\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
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