At the end of the calendar year, particularly after the holiday celebrations are winding down, it’s nice to just take a deep breath and recharge. This year, I found it so enjoyable to take advantage of the rare few hours of complete silence with no one in the house, no Zoom meetings scheduled, and no pressing issues to handle.
This is a great time to remember a few simple things we can do all year long – even when stressors creep up and there are too many balls in the air – to help regain our FOCUS:
F: Make time for Family and Friends. Building in regular activities with friends and family is imperative to a busy person’s sanity. According to an article in Psychology Today, there are countless studies on the importance of family and friends in our lives, and having strong social bonds can boost your mental and physical wellbeing. Get in the habit of scheduling time with friends and family on a regular basis. Find something to do that gets everyone laughing and telling stories.
O: Get Outdoors. There is simply nothing like getting outside for a while and breathing in fresh air! In our high-tech world, we can spend inordinate amounts of screen time each day – whether it is on the computer, your iPad, scrolling through feeds on your phone, or watching television. A Happiness.com article explained how getting outside positively influences EEG tests, showing “a physical response to nature [with] more stable brain waves and increased blood flow to the amygdala, the organ that controls stress and fear.” Even if it’s just a short walk around the block to get some vitamin D (which is shown to boost your immune system) or lunch outside on your patio, make it a point to intentionally get outside, bask in the sun, and breathe deeply for at least 5 minutes each day.
C: Be Creative. This is one of my favorite stress-relievers – probably because I love the creative aspect of the work I do. However, work-related creativity doesn’t completely relieve my stress. My favorite personal creative outlets include:
- Doing crafts with my granddaughter
- Making up a new yoga routine
- Going to a Paint and Sip class with my daughter
- Redecorating a room in my house
U: Become Undaunted. When we’re stressed, our sympathetic nervous system, which controls our “fight-or-flight” response, kicks into high gear. This makes things feel more daunting and we become easily discouraged and unwilling to take the steps needed to get to the next level. You can get to an “undaunted” state by tapping into your parasympathetic nervous system: the “rest and digest” response. Meditation, a few moments of deep breaths, yoga, or exercise are shown to decrease blood pressure which is good for your heart, and increase gamma brain waves, which boosts mental processes including memory, learning, and conscious perception, according to a WebMD article. When you feel relaxed and restored, your mind is able to open up to possibilities that may have once felt daunting or impossible – like taking on that speaking opportunity or pitching to a new prospect.
S: Explore Your Senses. A quick way to stop the stress cycle is to get out of your brain and tap into your senses. Here are some of my favorites – what are yours?
- The taste of a nice, creamy piece of dark chocolate
- The strong smell of Colorado pine trees
- The touch of my grandkids through hugs and kisses
- The sounds of birds singing (I like to go to Barr Lake where birds are everywhere, and eagles come to nest in the winter!)
- The sight of a beautiful sunrise or sunset
I hope you are able to remember to F.O.C.U.S. all year long so that you can get into the habit and the rhythm of a less stressful life that is truly balanced and wonderfully enjoyed!