It’s that time of year again. Heading into the silly season, our social commitments are rapidly increasing and the things we need to do before the year’s end start to become more urgent. Instead of allowing the silliness of the season to consume all of your energy, you should prioritise time to recharge so so you have the energy to see out the rest of the year with vigour and vitality. And spring into the new year feeling relaxed and ready.
Move it!
We know the benefits of exercise are numerous. For mind and body health. Movement can increase happiness and energy levels as well as improve brain health and memory. A good workout will help you sleep better at night too. Think you don’t have the time? Exercising for 30 minutes at a medium intensity each day is all that you need. We can spare a half hour during these longer days, can’t we?
Balance is Key
It is necessary to balance fulfilling your work commitments with having enough personal time to give yourself a chance to unwind and recharge. If you work from home, setting boundaries and having a clear ‘sign off’ time helps maintain that work-life balance. If you do need to log on later, it is a good idea to have a break first then time-blocking your work and being clear about what you want to achieve. Being focused will make you more productive.
Be Here Now
Paying attention to the present moment and acknowledging the sights, sounds and sensations within your body can have a meditative effect and help you feel relaxed. Practicing mindfulness can include meditation or simply standing at the park and paying attention to all your senses. You can also turn a task that is often done mindlessly into an opportunity to practice mindfulness. For example, tuning in to all the sensations when brushing your teeth each morning or looking out of the window on your commute and really noticing to what you see.
Time for a Hobby
Take up a new hobby you always wanted to try or revisit a past hobby you enjoyed. This may seem counter-intuitive, especially when you don’t have a lot of time on your hands. However, doing things that are just for you can help you feel energised, therefore allowing you to be more productive with your time. Try managing your energy (rather than your time) and see what difference it makes!
Time for You
Even if it’s just 10 minutes to have a cuppa or go for a walk around the block, you’ll be amazed by what a little bit of self-care can do for your mood. Better yet, book yourself in for a massage – just don’t make sure it’ s a relaxation remedial rather than a remedial massage – that will need time for recovery!
No is also a Yes
Don’t overload yourself with events and things that you can miss. Sometimes we say yes out of obligation to others and end up doing ourselves a disservice if we are running ourselves into the ground. If you have a a social event that you simply can’t miss, recognise when your social battery is empty and you can longer engage in a fun or meaningful way, and make your exit. When it comes to work, communicate openly to understand what the priorities are, which task or deadline needs urgent attention and which can wait until later.
I hope you invest the time to recharge. Who knows what the new year will bring, but you will be ready to tackle the new year ahead!
