4 Tangible Ways to Prioritize YOU During End-of-Year Chaos
Q4 is here. “There’s no time to be cute,” as my creative director says. The busy season is in full swing and it’s not slowing down any time before the holidays. And since you can’t stop time from ticking and deadlines from approaching, the best you can do to stay sane during end-of-year chaos is prioritize YOU.
Many of us aren’t good at that. “Self” falls pretty low on our list of priorities because we have work to tend to, a house to clean, kids to feed, and gifts to buy. There just isn’t always enough time in the day for self-care.
So here are a few quick and super simple ways to prioritize yourself during your commute, at your desk, before bed, and everywhere in between.
Breathe.
How many times throughout the day do you actually take time to slow down and listen to your breath? Most of us rush from day to day, likely breathing a shallow breath as we race from one engagement to the next. But the cool thing about our breath is that we can manipulate it to serve us better. As the days get busier, you can incorporate different types of breathwork into your routine to steady your heart rate, slow down your thoughts, and alleviate some stress and anxiety.
5-Minute Breathing Exercise
When you find yourself stressed, tense, or irritated, stop and take a breath. Notice what it sounds like. Notice what it feels like. Notice your belly rise as you inhale and contract as you exhale. You may even place your hands on your stomach to feel this. Then, notice where your breath originates. Does it come from your belly, or does it come from your chest? Are your breaths long and full or short and shallow? Observe your breath in this way for 2-5 minutes, or until you calm down.
Stretch.
I’m not asking you to get up and perform a Jane Fonda aerobics routine in the middle of your office, but I am inviting you to stretch your legs at work more often. Some say sitting is the new smoking, and if there’s any truth to that, then you better get your butt up off your chair and get moving, if accessible.
Workday Walk Routine
Any movement you take helps circulate energy and blood throughout your body, which in turn stimulates creativity and productivity. Challenge yourself to set an alarm for every 30 minutes and, when it goes off, take a short walk—even if it’s just to the restroom and back. If you don’t have time for a walk, stand up, roll your neck and shoulders, and take a few sips of water.
Hydrate.
Around this time of year, cookies, candies and cocktails are everywhere. And you should indulge in them. ’Tis the season! But if you find yourself feeling bloated, sluggish, or continually hitting that midday slump, you may want to add a little more H2O to your diet. As someone who’d much rather suck down coffee than water, take it from me. You don’t need more caffeine! Instead, start guzzling water.
Hydration How To
Divide your weight in half. That number is the number of ounces of water you should aim to drink each day. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, you should aim to drink 90 oz., or about 11 cups of water every day.
Staying hydrated is important all year, but especially around this time of year, when the air gets drier and your skin follows suit.
Maintain Perspective.
The end of the year puts everyone into a tizzy. Companies across industries are scrambling to meet their yearly goals, and trying to balance work and life gets even harder. But tough times don’t last. Like every other quarter, Q4 will end, and eventually, you’ll be back to your regular routine. Then you’ll finally have the time to grab a latte before work or meet up for happy hour right at 5 o’clock.
Perspective Practice
One of my favorite tricks to make it through the busy season is to interrupt anxiety with gratitude. Here’s how. When emails roll in from 7 a.m. to 10p.m., I am grateful I have a job that needs me. When my butt gets sore from sitting at my desk all day, I am grateful that I can feel sensation. A lot of things in life can be made better with a simple shift in perspective, and Q4 is definitely one of them. Try interrupting anxiety with gratitude this week and see what shifts for you.
Take Care of YOU
You can’t pour from an empty cup. If you work in advertising—and even if you don’t—your job will demand a lot from you as the year wraps up, and you have to ensure you have enough to give. By following the steps above and prioritizing yourself this season, you’ll stay happy, healthy, and hydrated all quarter long.
//Image by donterase