(below you’ll find a link to a handy tracker to keep track of your RootsTech Connect sessions)
If you were like me, then you were one of over 1 million people worldwide who took part in the first virtual RootsTech Connect. There were over 200 countries participating and over 1000 classes, keynotes, and other sessions to watch. But now it’s over, and you might be a little out of sorts.
Here are a few things you can do to help with your RootsTech fatigue.
Step Away From The Computer Screen
After literally 72 hours of non-stop genealogy and family history, you might need a break. Not just for your butt but for your eyes. The American Orthometric Association says, “Many individuals experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing digital screens for extended periods. The level of discomfort appears to increase with the amount of digital screen use.”
Symptoms of eyestrain are; dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision (that was me on Saturday night), and neck and shoulder strain.
So what can you do? The website suggests following a 20-20-20 rule. Take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away every 20 minutes.
Get Up And Get Moving
Remember that sore butt I was talking about earlier? Getting up and moving can help to get the blood circulating and help you get back to a better sleep cycle. Because you might have missed out on a bit of sleep over the weekend.
Cardio, yoga, and weight training can all contribute to better energy levels when you’ve been sedentary. Exercise triggers chemical reactions in the brain that release endorphins (natural mood-boosting energy) to restore and refresh the brain. Exercise can also be a form of meditation. The repetitive movement and focus on your breath create a meditative mindset that refreshes the brain and creates energy.
Go for a power walk- Take a walk around the block to get your blood pumping while you get some vitamin D.
Do stretches- Light stretching is an excellent way to get your blood flowing without jarring your body. If you have limitations on time or mobility, stretching is an excellent way to re-energize and get through your day.
Strike a pose- A mini yoga session might be just the trick to get your body happy again. Keep your yoga mat on hand and strike a few poses to rejuvenate.
Guard Against Genealogy Burnout
I don’t ever want to feel genealogy burnout. Genealogy is a great hobby, and I know the feeling of pride and healing I get from learning about my ancestors. But it’s important to have balance in your life, and I try to have that balance in my life. (keyword might be “try”.)
But if you’re also like me, you may have a few RootsTech Connect sessions to watch on your Watch List. I’ve put a handy RootsTech Connect Tracker on my store, Shop the Hound. This Excel tracker is Free to use and a great way to track the sessions you want to watch and have watched. You can find that HERE. There are two tabs; one by title and one by the presenter.
Remember all those sessions will be available for one year so if you decide on the ones you want to watch you can easily do the math. Even if you decided to watch them all that’s less than 3 per day.
But try doing other things. Over the weekend, I realized there were some great books that I need to read. One of the ones that I became aware of was written by Sharon Leslie Morgan. It’s called Gather at the Table: The Healing Journey of a Daughter of Slavery and a Son of the Slave Trade. I bought it off Amazon right after I hear her talk. You can find her session HERE.
I still have some of the other keynote addresses to watch but the first night listening to Nick Vujicic was amazing and made you perhaps feel a little embarrassed that you ever felt sorry for yourself and your situation. He was definitely an inspiration, and I’m going to have to decide which of his books I’m going to read or listen to.
I guess the point of this blog is that as with all things in life it’s about balance and being kind to yourself. So relax … you have lots of time to catch up on your watch list and time to do your genealogy.
Note: The post above contains affiliate links. This means I make a small percentage on the sales via these links. This does not INCREASE the price you pay as a consumer. This is a supplement to my income so I can continue to support The DNA Angel Project and to make donations to the Alzheimer’s’ Society