Rituals to Invest in Your Wellbeing
As we begin this New Year, what rituals will you create to invest in your wellbeing?
It is very easy to get caught up in the doing, rather than the being.
By making small changes, these often lead to bigger changes.
I love this visual from the book “Choosing Change” as it truly captures the change equation and the steps needed in finding new ways forward.
In creating new rituals a few things to consider:
- Your relationship with Technology.
- What are your true priorities?
- Create more movement in your day. Move as you can.
- We only have 168 hours in the day. Are you spending your time in a way that invests in you and what is important to you?
Each day you have a beautiful opportunity to step closer to what is important to you.
The more we find the ways to create rituals to invest in our wellbeing, the greater ways we find to connect with ourselves and others. This helps reduce Stress and find those ways to prevent Burnout.
Feel free to check out this article Nourish Your Wellbeing to Beat Burnout, I wrote for the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition
Begin your day in quiet, away from technology. Can you greet your day without an alarm?
When my husband and I first reconnected there was a morning alarm each and every day. I had learned the previous year, that I could greet the day without an alarm, and loved it.
At that time he was an Assistant Fire Chief – Occupational Health and Safety with one of the largest urban fire departments in Canada. This also meant he was on call 24/7. It took some convincing, in time he learned to move technology out of the bedroom.
The more we can start considering our circadian rhythms in how we do life, the more we invest in our wellbeing. It actually becomes easier to greet the day.
When you choose to break your fast, enjoy a nourishing meal with healthy fats and protein. It is so important we set ourselves up for success by nourishing our wellbeing with whole food.
Consider what nourishes you.
No matter how healthy something is, if you do not enjoy it, please do not force yourself to eat it.
It is such a gift to enjoy my green juice, spending time with our four legged girl Shelby. Some days this can also include a morning walk. Some like to enjoy a morning walk while listening to a podcast or audiobook and then share some of their learnings with their family and/or team.
Whatever that is for you, protect that time. This is time for you.
Take the time to reflect on your calendar.
One of the biggest ways we can invest in our wellbeing, is by looking at our true priorities. In many cases not ever meeting we are invited to we need to attend.
We lose so much time attending poorly planned meetings or ones that could have been an e-mail.
It is important we return to the basics of planning meetings. This blog highlights ways to hold better meetings and to reduce meeting recovery.
Identify, what are your true priorities?
What are the goals you are working towards?
Are you saying yes to the right things?
The bigger question “Are you saying yes to yourself?”
In looking at your schedule look at how and when to schedule downtime.
This is not something that magically happens. Planning is needed and working with your family and your team. Realistically what can this look like. Some ideas in this blog
In order to show up as our best selves, we need to create space to be.
As some of you know I was in an accident that seriously disrupted my life. I have a team of Physio, Acupuncture, 1:1 Rehab Pilates, and now adding Lymphatic Drainage Physio that continue to support me. My appointments are often booked three to six months in advance.
For all your appointments book these months in advance. It is so easy to put this off and then you are unable to get an appointment. If you have extended health benefits, by not utilizing these benefits you are leaving Money on the table.
Create your schedule in a way that you can pause throughout your day. This is not a luxury.
Schedule a tea or coffee break with a friend or colleague.
This can be done virtually or in person and is a beautiful opportunity to connect in real and authentic ways.
If you are doing this in person, perhaps in someone’s office or home, bring one of your favourite goodies.
I often will bring these Oat Bars, that have no added sugar and rich in magnesium.
My Pilates teacher, Olivia shares these are like Terry’s Orange only better.
Enjoy your lunch and dinner away from technology and from work. During my corporate career I was often eating my meals standing up and while working. It took a while to break this habit.
In learning to take breaks and not be connected to technology this was in essence learning to flex a new muscle.
This is where creating boundaries around when and where we access technology is so important.
Create those opportunities to enjoy a meal with a colleague or friend. The key is to take the time, enjoy food that will nourish your wellbeing. And get more colour on your plate. To make this a little easier, carve out time on the week and prep your food for the week.
Your body, mind and spirit will thank you.
Are there different types of movements you like to enjoy? Capture this in your calendar as a commitment to you.
I have been doing 1:1 Rehab Pilates on Monday mornings for 6 years. This year I have added Zumba on Saturday mornings.
A walk with our four legged girl is always a true joy. Perhaps take a few extra days and go away to one of your favourite spots. Here on Vancouver Island, Tofino is a great spot to visit and savour the winter storms.
Do you have a favourite hobby?
For me I always enjoy a walk in the forest or near the beach.
Another way I like to relax is by taking photos of nature and creating in the kitchen.
For each of us how we connect with ourselves will be different.
We are so much more than our roles.
Taking time to pursue hobbies are wonderful ways to invest in our wellbeing and great ways to calm our nervous system.
Before you end your work day, take time to plan for tomorrow and reflect on the day.
I find ensuring I have all I need for tomorrow prepared, a beautiful way to close my day.
Reflecting in a note book at a way from technology always creates wonderful space to connect with myself.
What did you learn?
Will you do things differently tomorrow?
What will you stop doing?
Did you get closer to your true priorities?
Consider when you will step away from technology?
Where will you put your devices?
I recently attended a webinar where Kevin Brady, author of “Its Never Too Late to be Healthy” shared, at the end of the day, their devices are plugged into an area with a timer. No one in the home has access to any technology after 11:00 pm.
Technology is impeding our ability to rest and enjoy sustained Sleep.
We can make different choices.
These are only a sampling of ideas to look at the rituals you can create to invest in your wellbeing.
Choose one or two.
What different choices will you make?
The big piece is to give yourself grace.
Be kind
Be patient
Be nourished in all you do.
At The Nourished Executive we help leaders invest in their wellbeing, with a holistic lens, to prevent burnout.
Our founder, Sharon K. Summerfield, is a Wellbeing Coach, Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Growth Advisor, with demonstrated success in nurturing healthy employees and high performing organizations.
Our vision is to create cultures and communities of care, where no one experiences burnout.
We have a strong commitment to giving back, Investing and supporting local community.
Photography by Sharon K. Summerfield
Originally Published on https://www.nourishedexecutive.ca/
