Every year it’s the same. I barrel towards the end of the year, working frantically to not only catch up, but get ahead before the holidays...
Work to-do lists endlessly echo in my mind. My stress levels make me feel both exhausted and wide awake all at once. And that’s because January is a hot mess for anyone juggling work and school holidays. It’s impossible to feel in control. That’s why experts say the key to handling this time of year is to prepare your body and mind for future stress. You know it’s coming, so bolster your resilience-stores before it hits with these simple habits/ You’ll respond better. And ultimately be less likely to get overwhelmed.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Even though I know how important good sleep is, and what happens when I don’t get enough, I always become a bedtime rebel in the holidays. Without having to get up early to pack kids lunches and leave for the work commute, I take my foot off the bedtime pedal. I sink into bed and revel in the fun stuff. And sadly, by that I mean a shit tonne of screen time. I read newly-downloaded books, catch up on news, scroll mindlessly through the 'gram, and watch 90s romantic comedies on repeat. Suffice to say, getting back to work with a rest deficit is not a great idea. So reclaim a sensible bed time and clean up your sleep hygiene. Getting eight hours of solid sleep a night has too many benefits to list, but some include a strengthened immune system, happier gut and sounder mind.
FILL YOUR LUNGS
I am someone who has had meditation on her to-do list since, well, forever. And while my hopeless optimism means I always include it on my mental good-intentions list, I’ve found some hacks (thanks to endless podcasts on the topic) that help mimic the benefits of meditation (you know, while I wait to start my actual meditation practise). Every hour or so, I take a moment to take some really deep breaths. In and out, just sort of clearing my mind or focusing on a word or simple idea. There’s plenty of research that shows deep breathing, on a regular basis, makes you more alert and calm. It’s certainly something I’ve found in terms of reclaiming a sharper focus when I hit a wall in the afternoons. What I love about this easy habit is that it takes nothing more than simply remembering to suck it up… albeit, a little deeper than usual.
GET MOVING
I don’t know a single time-poor person (basically everyone I know) who isn’t thrilled about the news that it only takes 30 minutes of exercise a day—and pretty much any exercise at that, including walking—to harness the mood stabilising benefits. The most crucial of which are boosted endorphins and something called GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps shut down negative thinking. It’s the simplest way to keep positive. The catch is that these gains are cumulative. You’ve got to find those 30 minutes every single day. But knowing what you get from it, booking this time like you would any important meeting or appointment just makes sense.