Managing stress as we exit lockdown...

Lockdown…
Christmas…
Not sure if there are two words in the English language that could possibly evoke more stress than these two do!
And right now, they are combining their powers to make for an interesting end to 2021.
Let’s face it, 2021 did not pan out the way anyone expected.
It was meant to be our fresh start after a rocky 2020.
But, in some awkward twist of fate, it ended up being much worse!
So, the stress is mounting and the overwhelm is building.
What can you do?
Well, we have our 3 best tips for managing stress and sailing into 2022 as fresh as a daisy. Read them here.

Managing Stress as we exit lockdown and approach Christmas
1: Process 2021 and everything it brought
We have already addressed the fact that 2021 was a year that sucked the big one. And if you are feeling a little jaded by the alert level restrictions, the constant pressure of Covid regulations and the nagging feelings of uncertainty, then we can’t blame you.
It is totally fine to feel all the things about 2021. Take the time to sit in those emotions and really process them. It is ok to feel angry, lost, helpless, anxious, or sad about what you have been through.
But, once you have taken the time to process how you are feeling, don’t dwell in that negative space. Instead, look forward to what 2022 might hold. ​

By focusing on the good things, you are programming your brain to look for the positives - it will help you to get your mindset in the right space to tackle 2022 head on!
Remember, that we can only experience happiness because we also experience pain. Both must exist as part of our human experience. We’ve felt a lot of the pain already, it’s time to feel the happiness.
 
2: Erase the Stress, or at least reduce it
The first step to eliminating excessive stress is to identify it. There will be red flags or warning signs that your body is not coping well. These signs can include difficulty sleeping, increased moodiness, overeating, demotivation, or behaving out of character.
If you notice any of these signs in yourself, then it is time to switch into stress management mode.
Stress management tactics will differ for everyone, but can include reaching out to friends or family, modifying your diet and exercise routines, ensuring you get healthy sleep, embracing relaxation exercises like yoga and meditation, or reach out to your family doctor.
Also, if you know what is triggering your stress (maybe it’s work, a person, or something happening at home), look at ways you can manage the situation differently so that you can avoid the action that is causing stress completely. 
 
3: Focus on what you can do
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by everything that is happening right now. There are traffic light systems to learn, restrictions to follow, work deadlines to meet, family celebrations to prepare for… the list just keeps growing. It is enough to send anyone’s stress levels rising.
But, a lot of those things are completely out of your control. No matter what you do, you won’t be able to change some things. If you focus on the things you can control right now, then you will feel a lot calmer.
Adhere to the health regulations, delegate some of the Christmas jobs at home, and plan out your work time so you can ensure each project is given the right amount of attention to complete it on time.
Constant stress impacts your mindset, emotions and your productivity. Workplace massage is a fantastic way to help you finish the year strong. Massage is proven to reduce tension, improve circulation, reduce stress, and help you relax. All of that can boost your productivity at work. However, with Christmas around the corner and current restrictions just easing, maybe a workplace massage should be top of the list for the new year

So, a workplace massage could be just what your team needs to supercharge your energy levels and finish 202, or start 2022 strong. Goodness knows, we could all do with the help after the year we’ve all been through!