The end of the year brings its own set of tests and challenges. Preparing for the holidays and wrapping up projects at the office might have you feeling stressed or overworked during a time that’s supposed to be reserved for rest, reflection, and family. Staying present and grateful is key to keeping the level head you’ll need to get things done before the New Year.

However, that is easier said than done. Without practice, staying grounded during a blustery season can seem impossible. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, here are some small ways you can encourage mindfulness and gratitude to keep yourself positive and resilient:

Say Thank You

This seems obvious, but in our rush to get important tasks done, we often forget to acknowledge the people nearby who help get us there. Take a step away from your schedule when running errands or attending a meeting to thank people for their time or service. Whether it’s a co-worker or the store clerk, being polite helps remind us of our environment and pulls us out of our heads.

Set Aside Time for Breathing

There is a wealth of scientific data that shows how we breathe has a big effect on our mood and our ability to mitigate stress. Throughout your day, be sure to set aside a few minutes to put down whatever it is you are working on and focus only on your breath. You may find this helps settle the nerves and re-center your thoughts, making it easier to focus on the task at hand.

Make Time for Yourself

Stress can be aggravated by poor self-care. Especially during this busy time of year, make sure you are giving yourself enough room to decompress from the day and setting aside time for something that brings you joy. Whether that’s reading, going on a short walk, being with family, or cuddling a pet, make sure there is some pleasure in your routine to mitigate the demands of real life.

Stay Active and Healthy

This ties into the poor self-care mentioned above. Regular exercise and eating healthy are staples to good health, and provide good interruptions from the day-to-day that keep us grounded and more engaged with everything we’re doing.

Make a List

A great way of reminding yourself of what your grateful for is to write it out. With so many demands for our attention, sometimes we need a moment to consider the whole of our lives and the precious things within them that bring us meaning and purpose. This is a great connective activity to do with a partner or other family members. What are the shared things you value that bring you together?

 

The demands of years-end may be difficult, but they provide us with an opportunity for reflection and perspective not always easy to find in warmer months. Using these tricks to keep your focus on the things that matter will, hopefully, have you closing out the year happier and healthier.

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