The sustainability of our planet is one of those at the top of our minds, and so it should be. But what about the sustainability of ourselves during these particularly stressful times?
One of the UK’s most popular holidays is almost upon us. Easter is rooted in our culture as a time for celebration and rebirth, with roots in Christianity and Paganism, and yet plays havoc on our personal and financial wellbeing (as well as our planet’s wellbeing).
Holidays are a future vision of rest and relaxation for most busy working adults and families. Yet they are a time of great pressure and can be really stressful, especially when juggling childcare and work responsibilities. Families who make the effort to “go away on holiday” risk spending their time balancing everyone’s wishes, and often come home exhausted. With the additional pressure of eco-anxiety, holidays like Easter can be extremely difficult. Focusing on wellbeing in the holidays sounds like a given, but perhaps it needs more attention than we give it.
Easter and the Spring Equinox are a symbol for the beginning of warmth and sun, and the ending of the winter months. They support renewed life and the change that comes with spring, not forgetting the perennial cycle of the seasons in its early morning chill and frosty grass. And this celebration doesn’t need to be at the cost of the planet’s resources and our health and wellbeing.
So what can you do this spring, to celebrate the external and internal change that comes with spring? We have a few wellbeing tips that we are trying and testing ourselves:
Start an appreciation offer in your work meetings. Get everyone round the table to say one thing they are grateful for that day.
See if your employers are open to test driving flexi-time for a couple of months. This really helps allow more time for other activities, such as family games, some daytime exercise, and lunchtime meditation.
“Working from Home” is the new norm. It used to be a privilege to roll out of bed and work in your pyjamas, and our team were given the option to work 1 day a week (pre-COVID19). But now that your home space is your work space, we recommend these tips to keep yourself motivated and working healthily.
Attend our Health and Wellbeing event. Whether you want to take part in yoga, learn about mental health, or find out what it is to be human…invite your colleagues and create a more sustainable, compassionate workplace.
Socialise! It is so easy to hunker down in the winter, and that’s fine. But spring is here – start slow with a (virtual) evening cup of tea with an old friend or join us on one of our events and be inspired by new faces.
Accept that you are going to have rubbish days! We are not unlike nature. In celebration of spring, remember that natural is cyclical – and so are you.
Be delighted when you do something positive, no matter how small.
Granted, we don’t have all the answers and many of us will still struggle with the unsustainable, expensive nature of modern-day holidays. But we are all making a difference, one step at a time, and the daily choices we make for a healthier self and a healthier planet are something we should be proud of.