In all the rush, find time to find yourself
Well, here we are again. Every year at this time I find myself amazed that another year has gone by and, often, so little has changed.
Some of you will have been very committed and dedicated to keeping those promises you made to yourself on January 1st, but for most of us, those pledges are strewn behind us, littering the wake of a cold January that has sent us spinning back to reality faster than we can say ‘Happy New Year!’
We often emerge from the end of year seasonal festivities feeling drained rather than rested. For those who celebrate it, Christmas can often be an apparently never-ending whirlwind of entertaining, cleaning, financial pressure, family demands and last-minute shopping for those last-minute things that slipped our minds.
And while it’s true that most of us will find a few minutes of peace and solitude and take a break from the full-throttle descent into and through the festive period, it often seems like small compensation for the stress, effort and exhaustion that goes into this time of joy and goodwill.
The truth, as well, is that if you’re typical of many people I speak to, you’re probably reading this, thinking to yourself: this year will be different.
But will it really? The problem with this time of year is that everywhere we look we’re presented with images, adverts and movies that portray this time of year as utterly perfect – and we can allow ourselves to be sucked into the fantasy.
And so, we run around trying to make everything perfect for everyone else whilst the edges of who we are and what we want to be steadily fray, leaving us physically and emotionally spent and in no real state to face the challenges of another year.
So, if you’ve promised yourself that this year will be the year you find time for yourself and give yourself time and space you need to truly recover from the trials and stress of 2023, then good on you. What follows is just for you.
In order to truly relax and find inner peace, you need to commit to finding yourself and be strong enough to create – and communicate – boundaries for others.
Here are my tips for achieving that:
It’s okay to be a little bit selfish
Nice people worry when they put themselves and their own needs ahead of the demands and needs of others, but in fact this is exactly what is required in order to practice self-care.
Not only is saying ‘no’ occasionally a good way of creating space for yourself, it’s also essential in order to instil self-reliance and independence in others.
Having boundaries isn’t about abandoning others when they really need you, it’s about being present for yourself when you really need you, so learn to say no to additional commitments that may add stress.
No distractions
To truly relax, it’s important to ensure you’re in a quiet place that you don’t associate with chores, your job, or the never-ending to-do list. This may be your bedroom, a spare room or (in warmer weather) the garden. Anywhere, in fact, where you’re not going to be distracted from the serious business of taking a moment for yourself.
Everyone has their own way to relax
Relaxing isn’t just about finding somewhere quiet and meditating. People have different ways of shutting out the world and finding solitude within themselves.
Mindfulness works for many people, but others are able to de-stress by reading a book or magazine, doing a jigsaw or needlework, or any pastime where there is nothing to divert your attention to things that cause you stress.
Plan and prioritise
Make a list of your holiday commitments and prioritise them, focusing on the most important tasks and events, and letting go of less crucial activities.
Schedule relaxation time
It may sound counterintuitive to formalise relaxation by actually planning it, but your relaxation time should be non-negotiable, and it needs to be prioritised in the same way as any other important commitment.
Delegate
It’s surprising how often it’s one person who takes on the majority of the responsibility at this time of year. If that’s you, learn to share responsibilities with family members or friends by delegating tasks like cooking, cleaning, or decorating to lighten your load.
Create rituals
Establish relaxing rituals, such as enjoying a cup of tea or taking a short walk, to signal the start or end of your day.
Set realistic expectations
The key to relaxing effectively is to accept that there is no such thing as perfection. Most things are imperfect – your hopes of the ideal holiday season included. So, simplify your plans and focus on creating enjoyable moments rather than always aiming for the stars.
Celebrate the season your way
Don’t feel pressured to conform to societal expectations. Create traditions and celebrations that bring you joy and relaxation.
Consider a digital detox
Take a break from emails, work-related tasks, and social media. Instead, use this time to connect with loved ones in person or engage in activities that bring you joy.
Try acupuncture!
Okay, so I would recommend this, wouldn’t I? But acupuncture is one of the most effective ways imaginable to relax and de-stress.
Not only is acupuncture completely painless when performed by a trained therapist, it is also extremely relaxing. The superfine needles we use help the body to re-energise, stimulating the natural biological processes that enable us to shed anxiety.
Building acupuncture into a regular routine – whether weekly, monthly, or otherwise – ensures your healing energy levels are always at their optimal levels – and you’ll be amazed at the impact even pone session can have!
I hope these tips are helpful to you in navigating your way through the next couple of weeks – but they’re not just for this time of year: by following a few or more of these simple practices you can start to build a wellbeing routine that gives you benefit every single day.
If you’d like to know more about acupuncture for relaxation, please get in touch for a no-obligation, friendly chat!