THIS BUSY TIME OF YEAR

The following is adapted from an email received by a member. We thought the sentiments really hit the mark so are sharing them with you.
This year has been another unprecedented year with COVID still lurking, restrictions eased (thank goodness) but the stress, anxiety and general chaos ever present. Workloads and demands ramp up this time of year while weekends can be crazy hectic with social gatherings and commitments. It’s really important to take some time to relax and recharge over the break but the process of tying up loose ends and signing off can ironically be quite stressful. So here are some simple tips to make things a little easier.
Show yourself some kindness
As we wind down to Christmas, it’s more important than ever to show yourself some kindness and take the pressure off. If you’re doing your best, that’s all you can do – don’t stress yourself out by trying to get a million tasks done before you take a break. And try to let go of things that aren’t important.
Prioritise
Try to differentiate between the tasks that absolutely need to be done and those that can wait until after the break. Take some time to stop and prioritise to ensure the most important tasks get attended to. Look at the bigger picture.
Practice Mindfulness
When you’re feeling stressed about how much you have to get done, it’s all too easy to get carried away with the business of life and forget to live in the moment. Practising mindfulness can help you to reset your thinking, focus on the present and feel more in control of what’s going on.
Talk about how you’re feeling
It’s all too easy to shut yourself off from others when you’re feeling stressed or worried but sharing those feelings with someone else is a great way to alleviate some pressure and reassess the problem you’re facing. A problem shared is a problem halved! Social support is one of the most important factors that helps to build your resilience, so connect with those around you who can offer support.
DO SOMETHING FUN
It’s important to remember what brings you joy. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or stressed, try to book in one joyful activity. It could be going for a walk, a sail, catching up with a friend or even a solid Netflix binge.
You are not alone – keep well over this busy period.