While I have been an athlete all of my life up until this year, I have always had the hardest time remembering to breathe while working out. I would get so caught up in focusing on what I was doing that I would hold my breath, resulting in negative effects more times than I can count. As a new Public Relations major, it has been easy for me to get caught up in the excitement and fresh opportunities within the major. This has made me realize that I have been forgetting to breathe, or take time to recharge, this semester.
As PR professionals, we feel pressure to constantly put up a front that we are eager to interact with people at any moment, while that is not always the case. Personally, I thrive on interacting with other people and building relationships, but it is draining after doing so without ceasing for weeks at a time. I am telling you right now that it is okay to take a step back from things to take a breath. This could mean going to be with family for a weekend, going on a solo day trip to somewhere that intrigues you, or even simply sitting at home doing something that re-energizes you. Allow yourself to breathe, and your ability and desire to connect with others will flourish exponentially. Without allowing the time or space for you to recharge and re-energize, you will eventually burn out in some aspect of your life (mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually).
As Spring rapidly approaches, take some time to reflect on how you can best set aside days throughout the semester to breathe. Use these as incentives to stay focused on the tasks at hand, knowing that you will have time to clear your head in the near future. When taking these periods to breathe (regardless of if they are 4 or 24 hours), try not to let yourself think to the future. If your brain starts to stray and you remember something important, make note of it for later, take a deep breath, and clear your head.
Just remember to breathe.
By Kyla Bledsoe, Junior Account Executive, Communication Department
