For the past two years or so, many people in different sectors have been working hard to ensure that the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2022) goes well. On two occasions, the meeting was postponed, meaning that most people put in twice more work than they were supposed to. Eventually it happened. Over 4, 000 delegates arrived in Kigali and going by the inch-perfect organisation on the ground, clearly a lot of work went into putting it together. No doubt that as CHOGM 2022 comes to an end, many tired and exhausted bodies will be left behind. For some, the wait has been longer than others but as the global event eventually passes, everyone else will go back to their normal lives. Tiredness, stress, lack of enough sleep and not eating properly could be some of the challenges people directly involved in the planning process faced. Now that CHOGM 2022 is behind us, if you are one of those people feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, here are some self-help tips that can help you restore your energy levels. Rest If you have been running up and down, the most obvious thing to do is create enough time to rest. Now that most of the work is done and guests have headed back home, it is time to focus on you. You have already done a good job. Now it is time to sit back and rewind. Of course, life must go on but taking a few days off to rest, especially if you have been giving it your all, is very important. You can pick it up from where you stopped after a few days of rest. Eat well If your meal times have been disorganised by the work you’ve been involved in, now it is time to enjoy some good meals, eaten in a timely manner. Eating well is a sure way to restore your energy levels. Avoid junk foods and ensure that you have a balanced diet, including energy restoring foods and fruits. Home cooked meals are recommended. Hydrate When we are busy, we mostly forget to hydrate enough. As you take time off, make sure you drink enough water every now and then. You will be amazed how water will help you get back to your usual energy levels. Avoid caffeine, energy drinks Many people believe coffee or an energy drink will give them a much-needed kick-start but caffeine is not a good idea when you are dealing with fatigue. Experts say these only help you postpone the exhaustion but they don’t take it away. Exercise Exercising can be another sure way of being fatigued. You might feel that exercise is the last thing on your mind when tired but, in fact, regular exercise will make you feel less tired in the long run, so you’ll have more energy. A simple 15-minute walk can give you an energy boost, and the benefits increase with more frequent physical activity. As you rewind, find time in between to exercise, whether it is outdoors or in a gym. The benefits will be immense. Sleep well Resting and sleeping well are two different things. For some people, resting means enjoying a good book, watching a movie or even hanging out. Many people don’t get the sleep they need even during their time off. According to a study done by the London-based Royal College of Psychiatrists, sleeping well takes a deliberate effort. This means that you need to plan bedtime. When do I go to bed? When do I wake up? Day or evening naps can mess up your sleeping routine. If you are the type that struggles with sleep, try out a relaxation routine before sleeping. Listen to music, exercise in the evening to get tired, drink chamomile tea and try to forget about things that are stressing you. Cut out alcohol It is understandable that you could be in a celebratory mood for a very successful CHOGM but that is not a call to indulge in more alcohol. Alcohol will simply make sure that you continue to be tired while battling hangovers. Minimise on the alcohol and replace it with healthy smoothies and juices or tea. A glass of wine or two after a meal should be okay but don’t let alcohol eat into your recuperation time. Good luck!
