E-Quipped to... Bring Back the Joy!

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E-Quipped to... Bring Back the Joy!

This newsletter refers to 'Spurn the Burn' and 'Resilience: The Bounce Back Factor', comprehensive articles found on my website.

Christmas is the season of joy… or is it?

By the end of the year too many of us find ourselves on a gruelling schedule desperately trying to meet deadlines, targets and complete impossibly long task lists before the year ends. We find ourselves depleted – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually – just trying to get through each day unscathed.

The good news is that something can be done about it. Here are three practical ways to help you to rekindle the joy of living...

Claire Newton - Bring Back the Joy!

Practice Self-Care

You know what to do… get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, take time off, set boundaries, practice spiritual disciplines and develop a support system.

The busier we get, the more we tend to neglect ourselves. Please be aware that one of the signs of burnout is the feeling that we are indispensable and therefore cannot take time off. So set some boundaries and say “no” to working on scheduled days off. Delegate tasks and responsibilities as much as you can.

Another sign of burnout is skipping rest and food breaks. While you might think you are getting more things done, the actual result will be a slowing down of productivity. So be sure to take tea and lunch breaks to restore your stamina.

There are many public holidays at this time of year – ensure that you make the most of them to relax and recover. Use them to do those fun things you say you never get time to do! Exercise in fun ways – take a walk on the beach or in a park; play ball with the kids or with friends. Practice your spiritual disciplines. Take the time to prepare a healthy meal and share it with friends.

For more signs of burnout read: Spurn the Burn

Connect With Others

Social withdrawal – pulling away from co-workers, friends and family members, finding it difficult to confide in others – is a classic sign of burnout.

If you notice you have withdrawn from friends and colleagues make a concerted effort over the Christmas and New Year period to connect with them again. This is important not only to prevent burnout, but also to increase your resilience.

Keep the occasions simple so you are not put off by all the extra organisation. A bring-and-share picnic in a park is a wonderful way to avoid major house-cleaning and expense and can be loads of fun.

For more ways to prevent burnout read: Spurn the Burn

Remember the Positives

Shift your focus from the negatives, complaints about things going wrong, to the positives and all the things going right in your life. Make a point of looking for the good things! Encourage others to do the same.

Write a list of all the things you are grateful for. Keep adding to it.

Continue to affirm the positives and never stop!

The ability to focus on the positive aspects and opportunities in life is a fundamental skill of resilience and one well worth developing.

For more ways to develop resilience read: Resilience: the Bounce Back Factor!

I wish you joy this Christmas Season!

What do YOU Think?

Share your wisdom with others… What do you do to keep your joy in living alive?

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While travelling in Italy I visited the magnificent St Peter’s Basilica located in the Vatican City. Inside is a larger-than-life bronze statue of St. Peter — his right hand extended to confer a blessing, while his left hand clutches the keys of the Kingdom. The statue is mounted on a tall alabaster...Read More

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Thank you for the Feedback

Thanks to Cheryl, Nolwazi, Robbie, Ida, Judy, Mike, Bill and Anne for the feedback after last month's newsletter. It really motivates me to hear that you are finding my newsletters helpful.

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New Content on my Site

In the media:
7 Ways to set realistic goals for the year

Listen to Claire on Air: Radio Al-Ansaar past programmes online

About These Newsletters

You may have been forwarded this email by a friend. In that case, allow me to introduce myself. I am a psychologist, speaker, trainer, coach and hat lover based in Durban, South Africa.

My goal is to inspire you to make the changes necessary to live the life of your dreams! I believe that by developing your YOU-Q - the term I have created to describe your unique intelligence, creativity and wisdom - you can find your Inner winner and live a Be-YOU-tiful life right now.

On my website you'll find more ideas to get you thinking about life, love, work and other important STUFF.

Contact me for more information or visit the website:

+27 82 491 1136
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www.clairenewton.co.za

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