As we start this new year in the same way as last year ended, we may find it a bit challenging… This has been difficult for many of us, not only because we miss seeing our friends and family, but also because the wintery weather doesn’t allow us to get outside as much as we would like.
Looking after yourself is becoming if prime importance if we all want to keep our spirits up. If we look after ourselves, then we are happier and have more energy and patience to look after others and accomplish our daily tasks.
Here are a few ways you can look after yourself in those difficult times:
Do something relaxing each day
This may be having a nice bath with essential oils (such as lavender) before going to bed. Or perhaps you would enjoy reading a good book or doing some puzzles with your partner? Choose whatever activity suits and you enjoy.
Switch off from work
Working from home has brought some new challenges into our lives. Switching off from work can be difficult, especially if you don’t have a separate room for your work. So it is important to establish some boundaries and ensuring you switch off your work laptop and phone at a said time and don’t go back until the next morning. It is also important to keep your week-ends free of work if possible. This will help you stay sane and be more productive when you get back to work.
Meditate
Meditation or mindfulness are good ways to clear your mind from the day’s worries. You do not need to spend long doing it, perhaps 5 or 10 minutes each day, but it is quite powerful! If you are not sure where to start, there are various apps or websites that can help you with it (such as Headspace Meditation and Sleep Made Simple – Headspace)
Exercise
Doing regular exercise not only helps staying fit but it also helps your wellbeing. You will find much better each day if you are able to spend 15 minutes doing some physical exercises. It does not have to be strenuous, the rule is to choose something you like. And if you can exercise outdoors, that is even better!
Write a daily journal
Writing a journal can help to free your mind from what is going on. It may help releasing some of the stress and tension you are experiencing too. Take a few minutes each day to write down anything that comes through your mind. It does not have to be structured or look pretty. And you needn’t go back to it ever again. Write, free up your mind and file.
Get into a good sleep routine
Getting good sleep is important to get enough energy to get through the day. It also helps support our immune system. Going to bed at a regular time every day helps our body clock. Before going to bed, make sure you have switched off your phone (or left it in a different room if you need to have it on all night) and avoid screen time about an hour before you go to bed. Blue light has an effect on our brain, which may then make it difficult to go to sleep.
Choose one, two or more of these activities each day. You may also wish to do them all either in the same day or across the week. Alternating activities is also good for your mind and body.
It may not be easy to find the time to fit those steps into your daily routine. If you have children and also work, you might think that you do not have enough hours in the day. One way round it is to build a daily timetable to incorporate some downtime into your day. For some, it may mean getting up a little earlier than usual. This may seem daunting at first but it is worth it!
Feel free to contact me for further advice.
With best wishes for a healthy life,
Priscille Francetti LCCH MARH
Homeopath
