We have hit the seasonal period. For many this is the best time of year, yet just as many dread the onslaught of sociability this season tends to demand. How do you survive with some energy intact? How do you keep energy up to attend everything you want to?
There isn’t really any magic advice or potions that will work – but I can share a few tips I’ve picked up over the years to get through this season the best way for you. As with any suggestions – not everything will resonate or interest you, but even if this just makes you think for a minute about how you can support yourself a little over the next month, then that is good enough.
Energy accounting
I use this with clients a lot. I really like the simplicity of the approach. It also recognises the differences between us all, what energises some people will completely wipe out another. Each activity you do is rated from 0 to 100 in terms of energy expended. Some will be high on mental energy and some more physical, or a combination. You then do the same exercise for energy giving activities. This gives you your baseline to do your own personal energy accounting
So for example if the office Christmas party is rated at 99% of energy expended (!) then this needs to be offset by an energy giving activity or activities to match this outgoing (99% energy in). Typical energy givers are snoozes, watching TV, going for a walk, going to the gym, early nights etc…
Sometimes you may regain your balancing very quickly, other times it may take you a few days to regain the energy lost and you may need a multiple number of energy givers to reset again.
Body Literacy
It is worth remembering that science shows that your mind is stronger than your body. Much of therapy aims to manage thoughts to help with your mental health, finding ways to gain different perspectives and help the body manage physical symptoms of mental overload, such as panic and anxiety. Other times the mind can help you to achieve more than you thought – it pushes you physically in a good way, perhaps you can run a bit longer, hold a yoga pose for an extra minute, do more than you thought.
BUT! It can also mean that we can push the body too far at times and during this busy period, listening to our body can help tremendously in supporting us though. There is a quote I really like which is ‘If you don’t schedule a break for your body, then it will take one for you and it probably won’t be at a convenient time.’
Psychotherapist Ruth Allen uses the term Body literacy and the importance of listening to the story our bodies are telling us. ‘Our bodies tell us what our brains won’t’* – that we all have our limits and the need to rest. She suggests asking our body a question each morning – ‘What can I do for you today?’ This is perhaps especially pertinent during this busy season.
Listening to and learning your own bodies cues to take a rest or a break may just keep you going this season.
(*Weathering by Ruth Allen)
Saying No – what are you then saying yes to?
A bit obvious isn’t it – just say no to things you don’t want to do. If only it were this simple to do. For many people saying no to festive invites is a minefield of balancing a multitude of different friend and family groups and not wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings. If things become overwhelming or you know you can’t cope with saying yes to everything, then finding a way to say no is a pretty useful tool.
I find it useful to think about what you are saying Yes to, when you say No. If you say no to a party invite, are you saying yes to calm, peace, sanity, energy, time, ability to get to work the next day, ability to be fully there at events you do want to go to… the list is endless and personal. If you can discover within yourself what the alternative is you want, then this may help you to phrase a good ‘thank you so much, but ….’
Tools for life – not just for Christmas
The above are tools for life, not just for Christmas. But perhaps we need them most at the moment as the year draws to a close and the festive season is ramping up. However you manage this festive season, may you find the fun, energy and peace you need.
