 Pause, reflect, reset... January focus on self-care
'Choose to be optimistic, it feels better' Dalai Lama
‘Self-care’ is like an umbrella - it can be folded up and kept in a cupboard but only provides protection and shelter when it's spread and in use. Self-care means offering yourself the same regard and kindness that you would show to others. By consciously choosing to do, eat, read, watch and engage in activities and experiences that maintain or grow health & wellbeing you'll feel well, happy and cared for.
Investing time in looking after ourselves brings benefits personally as well as to our families and work – when we are actively looking after our health & wellbeing we are more likely to be active, have better relationships, learn and make progress, be better problem-solvers and be happier. It forms a virtuous circle.
What constitutes self-care depends on our situation, needs and priorities - it's as individual as we are and what's important is that we -
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STOP doing things that drain our energy, self-esteem and physical or emotional health
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START doing small things that take care of and build our health, resilience, resources and wellbeing
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CONTINUE doing those things that already make us feel strong, healthy, happy, fulfilled and connected,
Buddying up with a friend or colleague can keep help focus and motivation on days when we just don't feel like it.
Resources for individuals
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Resources for managers
Happier January
‘Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony’ Gandhi
This new year it is perhaps more important than ever to focus attention on what we can do that makes us feel positive and hopeful. We can't control much of what's going on around us, but we can choose to consistently take small actions that support ourselves and others.
The daily actions in the calendar are written for the individual but work equally well as (virtual) conversations with family, friends and colleagues.
You could also use the suggestions as team conversation starters, for example -
- Ask colleagues what they do that they feel proud of or that they’ve enjoyed recently
- Talk about 3 good things in your team plan that you're looking forward to accomplishing
- Make a point of thanking colleagues you’re grateful to, and say why
- Share your hopes and plans for the future – individually, as a team and as an organisation
Listening and talking helps us feel connected, builds trust, helps us learn and grow and helps others. And that's all good for the resource capability of your business.
Visit Action for Happiness for the January Calendar, 10 Keys to Happiness and links to webinars Beyond Frazzled (Ruby Wax) and Mindfulness Made Easy (Shamash Alidina)
Financial help and advice
New Year is a good time to review, and there's lots of free impartial advice on money issues. Tempting though it may be to be ostrich-like, basic facts and information enables sensible decisions.
Free confidential 1:1 financial planning locally from Barclays Money Mentors (you don’t have to be a Barclays customer, and they won’t be trying to sell their products). They also offer online free workshops.
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Looking ahead to February
The ‘power of small’ is the theme for this year’s mental health Time to Talk Day on 4th February. Downloadable activities and resources
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