Are there still any things left to do before the end of the year?
If you plan to do anything for the New Year with your colleagues, then now’s the time to start thinking about it. From Christmas parties to New Year celebrations, there are plenty of other things you could be doing at the moment.
If you feel tired, stressed, or unmotivated this year, then maybe it is worth taking some time out to enjoy something different. A new experience can lift your mood and give you a boost if you need one. Who knows, it might even make the rest of 2021 feel extra special.
So what should you try instead? Allow us to share some ideas based on mindfulness and relaxation techniques. These activities are all great ways to switch off from work worries. The idea is to have fun and de-stress ourselves, recharge for the next day. What’s good is that you can even squeeze this 30-minute a day, or maybe on your quick breaks at work!
1. Mindful meditation
We spend a lot of our lives in front of screens – watching TV, catching up on social media, browsing online shopping sites – so it stands to reason that many of us live in constant alert mode. With this state of mind comes stress, anxiety, and fatigue. It’s easy to fall into a pattern where you check your phone every five minutes when bored, or you find yourself checking Facebook constantly when you’re upset.
The good news is that mindful meditation can help. If you haven’t heard of it yet, it involves being in control of your thoughts while paying attention to them without judgment and analyzing how they affect you. This simple process can bring significant benefits to your life when practiced regularly, including improved sleep, emotional stability, self-confidence, creativity, productivity, and physical health. And for those of you who like to party… it’s an excellent way to unwind after a big night!
2. Deep breathing techniques
Stop whatever you are doing and just focus on your breathing. Often, the stress at work slows us down and drags us. So, it is good just to halt and do a breathing exercise for a minute or two.
One of the best ways to achieve this is through pranayama. By expanding airways using slow inhales and exhales, you increase oxygen levels throughout your body. Your heart rate will naturally drop – leading to more energy and focus. By focusing on slowing down your breathing, your mind calms down, and your emotions become more stable. You can do this in just five minutes a day and reap huge rewards for yourself.
3. Facial massage
Do you think you can only have this at spas? Well, you can sneak a 30-minute facial massage while at work. Massage therapy is a widely used technique that improves circulation, alleviates tension, and reduces pain. Not only does it relax muscles and ease muscle knots, but facial massage also helps people feel more confident and capable of achieving their goals.
It can take as little as 15 minutes a day and is one of the most effective ways to improve health and well-being.
4. Strike up that Yoga pose!
It doesn’t matter what sport you prefer. Yoga offers a great range of skills and benefits. A class can provide a great workout that tones your muscles, strengthens your core, tones your digestive system, increases flexibility, and boosts concentration.
Gather your team, whether in person or virtually, then strike some yoga poses. If it’s an online event, share the link to our social media channels so everyone can experience this activity together! It’s easy, fun, and inexpensive, which is why more people are starting yoga classes as practice for physical fitness.
5. Baking
Instead of going home after work, why don’t you get your coworkers together for an impromptu cookie baking session? As soon as the dough cools down, everyone can divide it and shape it according to preference. Alternatively, get a few pans and create some delicious cakes. The possibilities are endless, and it’s a great way to bond with your coworkers.
This is the perfect opportunity to learn something new as well. There are many recipes available online for cookies, cupcakes, muffins, brownies, pies, bread, etc., and making these tasty treats together is such a positive bonding experience! Remember that you’ll need to bake these items first because the smell of food will attract others who want to join too!
The year is closing in, and after all the stresses we experienced this year, don’t we all just want to relax and de-stress? And what is better than doing it with your colleagues to keep you intact, especially this holiday season.
There are many ways to relax, and it is up to us to find what suits us best.
Have a relaxing holiday season be it at work or home!
