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Brain Circuits
5 tips to ease your way into the New Year
Getting back into the groove after the holiday break can take a while. Try these five simple tips to ease your way back into the New Year – before jumping into resolutions, to-do lists, and KPIs.
Say thank you
Write a one-line note of gratitude on a piece of paper (it can be about anything; from the smell of your new shower gel to an important friendship or surviving the holiday festivities) and leave it next to your tea or coffee. If you are going back into a shared workspace, leave the note in a visible place and invite others to add their one-liners below yours to help lift the general mood.
Find beauty
Notice the beauty around you. Look for small, ordinary things, such as a bird on a branch or an interesting pattern in a cloud. Take a photo on your phone to remind yourself of it during the day and share it with others.
Allow yourself a worry window
Confine your worries to a 15-minute window at a suitable time daily. Without forcing yourself to think positively, set a timer and dive into what is causing you to feel anxious. You may well find you don’t need the full 15 minutes and feel better afterwards for having “gone there”.
Plan your soundscapes
Our lives are filled with ringtones and alarms of various kinds. But do you actually like the sound of your phone’s ring and the alerts your devices use to grab your attention, or do they sound like an alarm bell? Go through the menu options on your devices and select melodies that are agreeable and soothing to hear.
Smile!
When we smile or laugh, our brains release endorphins and serotonin, stimulating feelings of wellbeing and reducing the sensation of stress. Use your physiology to lighten your psychology by looking at a photo or video stored on your phone or laptop of a moment that makes you laugh.
Key takeaway
When you feel your spirits flagging or are in need of a mental pick-me-up, try these simple tips, and share them freely with anyone around you. It’s surprising how easy it can be to lift not only your own mood, but that of others in the vicinity – even perfect strangers!
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