Getting Back into the Groove for the Year!
Returning to work after the Christmas and new year break in January is often hard going and getting back into the groove takes some effort. Like many others I always hope to come back and start a new year off ‘fresh’ and full of energy, but this does not always happen due to the nature of the festivities and get togethers which are fun but often leave us socially drained. Balancing school holidays and work also adds to the chaos.
We need to ensure we invest in our wellbeing while on leave and take the time while off work to actively do the things that fill our cup to rebuild resilience, mindset, energy levels and happiness. One way to get back into the groove for the year is to start the year off with an ‘attitude to gratitude’. This will help keep a positive mindset and start your new year off well.
The ‘pros’ as we go back to work are:
Faster travel times to work - less traffic while half the city is still on holiday
Longer daylight hours to get out and enjoy the evenings at the beach or parks
Hearing all your colleagues fun summer break stories
Dressing up again and now with a summer ‘glow’
Getting your coffee fix at your favourite place near work
Another area to focus on to get your groove back is to set three achievable work and personal goals and plan on how and when you are going to implement them.This will put you in good stead to start the year off in a fresh new way. It takes on average 3-6 weeks to change a habit. We typically try a new routine for two weeks and give up, so pushing through is essential to success and embed to become a new habit.
As you go back into the office and get started for 2024 support your overall wellbeing by eating nourishing foods that will fuel you for the day, move more – make sure you get up and move around when you can, actively work on ensuring you get enough sleep and make sure you are including activities around your workday that bring you joy. What is your happy place?Is it the beach, river, bush-walks, hanging out with friends/family, playing sport – include this into your week to keep you feeling happy and positive.
Above all, be kind to yourself as you start off the year and remember changes to motivate and get you back into the groove of work do not have to be big, small changes are a start.