Step on the Brakes!

We’ve talked about it before…mindfulness and gratitude are good for our mental and physical health. They aren’t things to do just once a year or during a particular season, they are everyday things!  

That being said, mindfulness and gratitude are especially important during the hustle, the bustle, and the busy. And we’ve observed a lot of busy lately. As we are falling back into our pre-COVID busy schedules, and trying to keep our COVID activities and mindsets, and adding new post-COVID activities, on top of the end-of-year work and the holiday season…burnout and stress are running wild right now. This is the perfect time to pause and take a break!  

Here are a few wonderful tools we’ve found that help with the end-of-year stress, no matter where you are.  

Humor 

Taking even just a minute to stop and laugh releases endorphins, burns calories (win!), relaxes your whole body, and so much more! 

Here are a few of our favorite work memes right now…

Surround yourself with the people and other things that bring you laughter and joy! 

Reflection 

If you find yourself going into a cycle of stressful or negative thoughts, taking a moment to reflect on something positive can help break that cycle.

Here are a few questions that you can use any time!  

• What is something someone has done to make me feel valued? 
• Was I able to rejoice in the midst of my difficult circumstances?  If not, can I remember what thoughts were occupying my mind?  Were they helpful or hurtful? 
• What am I most proud of? 
• What were my biggest lessons from this past year? 
• What has been my favorite memory from the past year? 
• Which past experiences am I most thankful for? 
• Have I seen kindness and gentleness in others this year? What did I see?  
• Have I experienced peace this year?  Am I in need of peace right now? 
• Who has had the biggest impact on my life? 
• Who do I hope to become in the next 12 months? 
• What brings me joy? 
• How did I make a difference this year? 
• Who do I need to express gratitude to? How can I show I’m grateful for them? 
• What does gratitude mean to me? 

Gratitude 

Make gratitude a practice! Studies indicate that having an "attitude of gratitude" can have a positive impact on our success, our interactions with those around us, our health and wellness, and even our longevity! So let’s practice thankfulness more!  

That may seem easier said than done, but it’s really about practical application. One thing you can do is to keep a Daily Reflection Journal. Our version of this journal gives you prompts to reflect on each day. Some prompts stay the same, while others change, and it includes a tip you can apply every day. You can start using the Daily Reflection Journal any day of the year and can download it as many times as you'd like.  

What about you? How do you take a moment to pause during the busy of the season? Do you do these things, or are there others? We would love to hear from you about what you do if you want to share! And if you need any help getting through these tough times, please reach out! We are always here to help.