Before the holidays, with all the hectic plans unfolding before the Christmas or New Year deadline, it’s easy to forget to rest. Socializing can wear you out, your mind is unable to disconnect from work when you go home to rest, or you may even lose motivation due to fatigue. To manage these stressful situations, intentional and mindful rest during this time of the year can be the most effective thing you can do for yourself. Here are five ways to relax and recharge even as you lead up to the Christmas and New Year period.
1. Start with solitude in mind
This is especially important for introverts. If you don’t prepare yourself mentally each morning for the workload ahead, you’ll be running on empty as you head towards the true lead up of the Christmas and New Year period in December. How you start your day will set your energy levels up for the rest of the day. Adopt a morning ritual to clear your mind and mentally calm yourself. To do this you can meditate, do breathing exercises or simply go for an early morning walk before you leave home. This also works well during the rest of the year when you may have a busy schedule.
2. Breathe, re-frame, and redirect negative energy
Interacting with people who have high demands or expectations of you can be a recipe for disaster. Make the decision to be responsive rather than reactive. At this time of year especially, people get angry and offended when comments or opinions become overly internalized. But it’s not always about you. A simple technique is to externalize your frustrations -- take a breath, then re-frame anything negative as an issue that has to do with the other person rather than you. This isn’t license to shift blame when you’re at fault, but it’s good to remember that you’re not always the problem.
3. Have intentional gratitude
Use the lead up to the holidays as a time to strengthen relationships – even at work. Saying “thank you” to someone or telling them why you’re grateful for them or their contribution causes your brain to release the "happy hormone”, oxytocin. It's also a good time to reconnect with old friends and mentors too who you may have lost touch with during the year. Take some time to send appreciative emails and handwritten cards to people prior to Christmas and New Year. This then sets an agenda to take you into the New Year ahead and let you be able catch up with them if possible either face to face, over the phone, or on a video call.
4. Get outside – fresh air is good for you
If weather permits, getting outdoors in nature has many health benefits, including lowering your stress levels and blood pressure. It can even help you become more creative. After eating, get some fresh air and go for a walk rather than lounge on the couch. If the weather doesn’t permit, try some stretching and breathe techniques that gets the brain working and your energy levels flowing.
5. End with reflection
Another brain chemical, serotonin, is released whenever you reflect on meaningful events and achievements from the past. Take time at the end of the day to think through personal accomplishments and about people in your life that you are grateful for. Revisit the "why" behind your work -- the people who inspire and motivate you to achieve your goals. Visualizing these events will fuel and energize you and give back to you the energy needed to stay motivated and moving as you head towards the upcoming Christmas and New Year holiday period where things may be getting hectic. Also remember, as you enter the holiday period don’t forget to keep eating proper meals as it is usually when we get to this point and start eating the wrong foods that we end up getting sick.
We look forward to hearing how this works for you and welcome you into the Keys to Freedom Facebook group for more inspired thought and support. Love Robyn and Karla
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