Instead of starting the year off with a bang, followed by a renewal of the hurried, gotta get it done, pace, why not savour the holiday feels and go slow this winter?
Start by easing yourself back into routine after the holidays or a vacation.
RETURNING TO ROUTINE AFTER A HOLIDAY
Go slow. Be gentle. Resist the urge to try to snap back in.
GO SLOW THIS WINTER
Instead of starting the year off with a bang, followed by a renewal of the hurried, gotta get it done, pace, why not savour the holiday feels and go slow this winter?
Start by easing yourself back into routine after the holidays or a vacation.
RETURNING TO ROUTINE AFTER A HOLIDAY
Go slow. Be gentle. Resist the urge to try to snap back in.
TAKE AN EXTRA DAY
If annual leave allows, it’s always nice to give yourself a day to adjust and unwind before heading back to the office. From doing your washing to preparing meals, that extra time can help you feel relaxed and settled before dealing with work, giving you one less thing to worry about.
GET BACK INTO YOUR ROUTINE
It can be easy to treat the days after a holiday as though you are still on vacation: delaying getting back to your regular exercise routine or healthy eating plan, but, it’s important to ease back into a routine. Try adding one thing back at a time until your back up to speed.
BE CONSCIOUS OF YOUR MINDSET.
Returning to work when you’re working from home requires a bit of extra mental discipline. Be strict with yourself from the get go. Don’t give in to the temptation to do a quick task around the house when you should be working. Make yourself wait until a scheduled break. Remind yourself that it’s no longer the holidays and you need to focus on working now. This isn’t fun, but it is necessary.
MAKE A TO-DO LIST
Going back to work after a couple of weeks can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to know where to start when you’re facing a mountain of back log. Make a to-do list before heading back into the office, and update it once you have been through your inbox. That way you can prioritize and work through tasks pragmatically.
GET SOME EARLY NIGHTS
We know this can be hard if you have travelled through time zones, but even if you are struggling to sleep, try getting into bed and reading a book to help you feel relaxed. Try to stay away from screens (television, computer and/or cell phones) as these tend to be stimulates to the brain.
LIMIT WORK SOCIAL MEDIA TO CHECK INS ONLY
During a work break, only do check ins with your work-related social media feeds This will help you resist the temptation to mindlessly scroll during the day. And, after checking in, turn off all social media before you get pulled down the scrolling rabbit hole.
TRIAGE YOUR INBOX
Some emails in your inbox will need more immediate attention. Others can wait until later. Many, just need to reviewed at some point. Sorting these out will help you feel more organized since you’ve broken down the mountain of tasks into smaller piles.
TAKE A BRAIN BREAK
after concentrating for long periods of time
WHAT IS A BRAIN BREAK?
A brain break is just what it sounds like—a break from whatever you’re focusing on. Short brain breaks during work time have been shown to have real benefits. They reduce stress and frustration and increase attention and productivity. The key is to take them before fatigue, distraction or lack of focus set in.
SIMPLE BRAIN BREAK ACTIVITIES
- Meditation
- Deep breathing
- Mindful walking
- Body Scan
- Yoga
- Unleash your inner artist
- Cloud gazing
- Candle meditation
- Bounce a ball
Alexandra Isobel 