It’s normal to feel exhausted, stressed, and burnt out this time of year. The holidays can just not arrive soon enough as we enthusiastically count down the days to go on leave.
Spending time with family, putting together extravagant festive parties and taking the kids on outings won’t necessarily recharge you after the burn-out year we assume you had. It’s important to unwind amidst the celebrations and strike a better balance, allowing for essential rest to fully revive your body, spirit and mind before the new year starts all over again.
For those not taking a year-end break, it’s equally important to harmonise work and festive activities. There’s no point in going overboard with the holiday fun when you need to juggle work too. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t enjoy yourself, rather prioritise your commitments and don’t feel pressured into doing something that might leave you feeling more depleted.
This is how you come back refreshed after the holidays, no matter what they look like:
Sleep is essential for relaxation and renewal
It goes without saying that sleep is one of the best ways to take a break from the bustling world outside. The fact is that many of us don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis. From morning work meetings to early-rise kids and late nights out with friends, sleep doesn’t always take priority in our lives. Try and change your FOMO mindset that keeps you from snoozing a little longer. Take naps whenever you can, treat yourself to an alarm-less morning or sit back on the couch with your eyes closed and listen to the sounds of summer.
Every second you take to be kind to yourself will help recharge your body and mind. For an even more relaxing end to your night sip on a chamomile and peach infused drink for a moment of mindfulness.
Take an intentional break from electronic devices
It’s one thing to use your phone, tablet or laptop, but another thing to be completely addicted to it. If you’re one of those people who cannot fall asleep without scrolling mindlessly on your phone, or have an unhealthy relationship with social apps where you simply cannot leave a message unread, maybe it’s time to put the device down and smell the roses – literally.
Take a break by setting some boundaries and only allowing yourself an hour in the morning and afternoon to catch up on what you missed. There’s no point in living your life by looking at pictures that other people posted and getting jealous over it – make your own memories and stop living your life online. The key is to slow down in order to speed up.
Learn to prioritise ‘must dos’ and ‘not nice to dos’
It’s important that YOU make the decisions that have an impact on YOUR well-being. Find a better way at balancing things you simply cannot miss and less important events. Do you need to attend every festive party? Is it necessary that you go out every weekend? We often commit to things in a moment of vulnerability but you don’t have to spend your time off doing things that break your stride. And more importantly, you don’t need to make up excuses for getting out of it later either. No is a complete sentence and needs no justification. It’s your choice how you want to spend your time off and if prioritising your relaxation time comes first, then so be it.
Of course, you won’t be able to wriggle your way out of all commitments. Some year-end functions at work, weddings and festive gathers are non-negotiable and most times activities that we look forward to all year! Give your body a little lift with a low kilojoule effervescent energy drink to get you through those events with ease.
Learn to balance work, life and commitments to ensure you end off the year on a positive note. It’s all about prioritising rest and healthy living, and recognising that you need to be kinder to your mind and body. For more delicious and nutrition-focused products visit Herbalife.
