AEAP's January 3, 2022: Mind-Day Message

The new year always brings pressure to identify changes you want to make. We’re supposed to set healthy new goals to become the best possible version of ourselves.

We’re bombarded with it, and it can make you question whether you're good enough as you are. There’s good news: you are good enough as you are, and you don’t have to change or set goals if you don’t want to. If you would like to, consider setting intentions rather than goals.

 

Think about some of the things that you’d like to do more of. This is about spending your time doing the things that are important to you. Take a moment to think over the last year. What did your self-care look like?

Most people overthink self-care, but self-care can be anything that brings you joy like watching a good movie, taking a nap or making yourself a nice dinner. Did you make time for yourself?

We often get swept up in our professional roles and roles at home, but where did you fit into it all? Did you read that book that’s been sitting on your bedside table for the last few months? Are you taking time to connect socially and nourish that part of yourself? Have you had any fun? These are all good questions to help you get clear on what intentions you’d like to set.

 

Are there things that you want to spend less time doing? Take some time to think about some of the things that aggravated or frustrated you. What types of things are getting your energy and attention? Are those things benefiting you in a positive or negative way? Is there a way to minimize your time in negative situations? We’re still dealing with the pandemic and for some people that means you may be spending less time doing things that used to be routine like going to the gym or to a sporting event.

Create new routines like going on a hike to get your heart rate going or finding an outdoor sporting event. Maybe you spent a few more minutes than necessary online or on social media platforms. Try setting a time limit on how much time you spend online.

A lot of people have realized that they were overly productive over the last year – they dove into a household project, signed up for an online class or picked up a new hobby. While there’s nothing wrong with those things, maybe you give yourself permission not to overextend yourself. Don’t underestimate the power of doing nothing if that’s what you need.

 

Commit to celebrating the small wins. Have you ever noticed yourself focusing a little too long on something that didn’t go exactly the way you planned? Whether the situation was big or small, being hard on yourself feels natural for many people. That’s because our brains are wired to remember negative experiences more than positive ones (it’s called negativity bias).

Celebrating small wins is important because it can boost self-confidence and motivate you to tackle larger goals in the future. Work towards identifying and celebrating your small wins each day. Maybe you decide to wake up 5 minutes earlier to make the bed, have a healthy breakfast or create a short to-do list of minor tasks and cross them off as you complete them. Don’t forget to take a moment to pause and celebrate the accomplishment, acknowledge how it feels and reflect on what went well for the next time.

December can bring joy to employees and their families. Often people look forward to time away from work or gathering with friends and family. Others experience stress as the pandemic lingers on, or this is the first holiday season following the loss of a loved one. It is important during this time to focus on your mental and physical well-being, find time to appreciate a joyful moment and practice gratitude.  

 

If you need assistance with these issues or any other concerns, remember Arlington EAP is here to help.