So Much for a Relaxing and Recuperating January!
Sometimes things just don’t work out as planned!
In my last blog, I was extoling the virtues of self-care in January, a month when we could perhaps take things a little more slowly, sleep more, enjoy the simple things in life - a walk in nature, hot chocolate in front of a warm fire, reading a book wrapped in a cosy blanket, a massage. Well, I hope that's gone well for you, but it all went to pot for me when my son came home from skiing with stress fractures in his spine, the builder decided to come two months early, my car sprung a fuel leak, I had two weekends full with business meetings and the National Running Show, and my colleague asked me to do a webinar this Tuesday! Oh, and I had my tax return still to do! It's been pretty full-on!
However, this doesn't mean that in other areas I've put too much pressure on myself. I haven't forced myself to run, because I've been busy and tired. I've prioritised sleep wherever possible. I've eaten chocolate (but stayed off alcohol). I've found time for a walk with the dogs each day and made a point of being in the moment with them. I've had a cold swim twice a week without fail - the mental and physical benefits are SO good, that this is a non-negotiable - and these last two things have kept my stress response under control and allowed me to focus and keep going (and the chocolate was just yummy!). I’ve made sure I’ve had some quality time with friends who give me positive energy and make me laugh. I’ve supplemented when my diet has suffered due to lack of time.
So what have I learnt? Well, I've learnt that:
I'm stronger than I thought.
If you ask for help, friends will always be there.
The simple things in life really are the things which matter.
Just doing the next thing will eventually result in everything being done!
Fitting a little bit of self-care into a busy month can still make a world of difference.
I’m better with a deadline!
If you generally eat well, getting fish and chips after a busy weekend won’t kill you! (Nor will chocolate!)
Stressful and scary things are easier if you just don’t have time to think about them.
The dust and the mess can wait!
A month without alcohol definitely reduces anxiety and stress.
Laughing at life is much more fun than crying about it.
So I hope you’ve had a relaxing January and enjoyed some rest and sleep without any judgement, but if not, perhaps the intention of taking it easy has ensured that you’ve fitted in what self-care you could, and that’s enough.
#onehealth.