by Grace | Dec 29, 2020 | Workplace Education
Christmas, New Year and the start of January is a common time for many workplaces to take the foot off the pedal and enjoy a few weeks of holidays. No doubt you have managed to relax, enjoy some family time and perhaps complete a project at home you’ve been meaning to do.
Returning to work and a routine after holidays can sometimes be less than appealing – however according to Hub Australia (2020), here’s some skills and tools that will help you get motivated in no time:
- Pre-trip tip – Tie up all loose ends before you go on holidays:
It may be a little late for those reading this on your first day back, but finishing everything off to the best you can will help you get motivated as you enter the new year. Ways to help do this may include a comprehensive handover to your team or ticking off everything on your to-do list.
- Block out the first part of your day to go through your inbox and action everything:
Emails pile up the moment you clock off for holidays – it’s hard to maintain motivation when there is a mountain of emails to conquer. Actioning all emails on your return will help you feel less overwhelmed – try creating folders and dragging emails into their respective folders once they have been actioned.
- Plan:
Find a quiet space where you can plan out as much as you can for the coming week and/or month, before working back and filling in the smaller items your plan needs. It’s easier to stay motivated when you can see progress.
- Prioritise:
Set your priorities and add an estimated time to complete next to them – view the time-consuming and difficult ones as ‘frogs’ and shorter tasks as ‘fast-wins’.
- Communicate to your team:
Setting the expectation that your first day back will be focussed on catching up rather than taking on new tasks is essential. If you commit your first day back to planning and getting your head back in the work zone, you’re setting yourself up to be able to step into your normal role on day 2.
- Get a big win:
Taking on a big task or high priority task your first day back will help you boost your sense of achievement at work, and also kick your brain into gear.
- Get some quick wins:
Knock a few quick tasks off your list!
- Take your breaks:
Take regular breaks as your brain needs o get used to your usual workload again. Possibly treat yourself to lunch on your first day back or go for a few short walks outside.
- Learn from your mistakes:
Make sure you list all the things that would have made it easier to hit the ground running on your return back from holidays and add it to your calendar prior to your next holiday.
by Grace | Dec 29, 2020 | Workplace Education
The Christmas and New Year period is filled with love and celebrations, along with alcohol, desserts, generously portioned meals and chocolate.
You may be feeling a little sluggish coming into the new year and what better time to get your act into gear and find your healthy routine again!
According to House of Wellness (2020), the following 6 tips will help lose the Christmas kilos:
- Establish a routine:
Structure is key when finding your routine. Avoid scrolling through social media and get moving first thing – once you’re up you’ll have momentum to continue with the rest of your day.
- Avoid finding comfort in food:
Sometimes we feel worse when we rely on food to manage our emotions. Find other strategies to manage your emotions such as connecting with family and friends or doing a hobby or activity you enjoy.
- Avoid mindless snacking:
Christmas time brings copious food and snacks laying around the house. Avoid eating a few biscuits here and some chocolate there – try swapping these for carrots and hummus or a piece of fruit.
- Ditch the extreme diets:
Eating a range of core food groups is always best if we want to make long-term sustainable changes.
- Get moving:
Cardio workouts help lose weight. You can also substitute an arvo drink catch up with a friend for a walk around the local river.
- Limit your alcohol intake:
Moderation is key when it comes to alcohol as it plays a factor in weight gain. If you don’t want to cut out alcohol completely, try having a glass or two for the week.
by Grace | Dec 29, 2020 | Workplace Education
It’s a common occurrence to feel exhausted after Christmas – you may have done ‘nothing much’, but overeating and constant socialising can leave us feeling tired, sluggish and drowsy.
You may still be on holidays or you might be straight back into the office. Either way, here’s some tips (according to Centred Wellness, 2020) on getting on top of that tiredness and back into routine!
- Sleep: With the lead up to Christmas, most people tend to have later nights. Even if your days aren’t as structured this time of the year, try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning – this will help your body swing back into routine!
- Food: Christmas time sugary treats and over indulging are usually followed by lows in mood and energy. Try limit sweetened and highly processed foods and after a few days, you won’t be craving these anymore. Ensure you have protein at each meal, try eating small frequent meals, drinks lots of water and cut back on the evening wine.
- Cut the coffee: Similar to sugar, caffeine can spike your blood sugar so while you feel good initially, your can come crashing down later. Caffeine can also disrupt sleep quality. If cutting out coffee completely is too daunting, try cutting it down slowly over a couple of weeks and see if you feel less tired.
- Give yourself permission to relax: Slowing down can be affective in improving energy levels. After a busy year, you deserve to take a break! Enjoy some of your favourite activities, read a book or simply enjoy your morning coffee whilst reading the paper.
by Grace | Dec 14, 2020 | Workplace Education
December is a busy time of the year – juggling work deadlines, extra social commitments, planning Christmas day celebrations, completing the Christmas shopping.. it’s a great deal happening all at once!
“One in three adults suffer from ‘holiday burnout’, with 36% claiming that that the affliction sets in before mid-December” – Stylist, 2020.
How exactly do you combat this overwhelming feeling of exhaustion during December? Stylist (2020) reveals some tips as follows:
- Accept: Acknowledge that is ok to feel anxious, stressed and overwhelmed. When demands of our lives exceed what we can realistically achieve, it is natural to feel pressures and burnt-out. Be kind to yourself!
- Clarify values: Assess what really matters to you. Sometimes the pressures of having the ‘perfect’ Christmas can lead us into investing too much energy into the things that really don’t matter. Reflect on your worries and consider making changings.
- Set boundaries: During the Christmas season you may have an increased sense of obligation to others. Review the boundaries you set with your relationships which may include time, spending, communication or making plans. Clarify your OWN boundaries.
- Do what matters: What brings you joy, vitality and purpose over Christmas time? There is nothing wrong with valuing downtime, rest and connection with those who give you energy.
- Take time for reflection: If you become anxious and stressed at this time of the year, reflect where you would like to find yourself this time next year – Taking charge of our lives and empowering ourselves to make positive changes is a great starting point for the year ahead.
by Grace | Dec 1, 2020 | Workplace Education
This Thursday we are celebrating IDPWD with this year’s theme focusing on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairments, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning differences and cognitive dysfunctions, among others.
’15 per cent of the world’s population, or more than 1 billion people, are living with disability. Of this number, it’s estimated 450 million are living with a mental or neurological condition and 2/3 of these will not seek professional medical help, largely due to stiga, discrimination and neglect.’ – World Health Organisation.
Please remember millions of people are living with disability that is not immediately apparent and how important it is to remove the barriers for all people living with disability, both visible and non-visible.