EMIS Spotlight ISSUE 4 DIGITAL 2

14

Make a wellbeing pledge to yourself in 2024, not new year resolutions From Dr Krishna Vakharia

Spring 2024

Welcoming 2024 by setting ourselves new year’s resolutions can often be overwhelming and difficult to achieve. Therefore, I’ve put together a few simple tips, tricks, and promises you can make to yourself, to put you on the right track to wellness.

Setting yourself small, achievable habits from the start can set you up for a successful year.

Practice mindfulness A form of meditation, with Buddhist roots, mindfulness can be tailored to your own needs. Building awareness and focussing on the present can teach you to be kinder to yourself and to help process the moment - whilst remaining neutral. There are various ways to learn how to achieve mindfulness, from NHS appointed courses to self-help books. Just five minutes of mindfulness before, during, or after work can help ground some of your anxious feelings and make you feel more in control. Move more A sedentary lifestyle affects your health negatively and it can lead to obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Simple things can make a difference, try stretching each morning to get your body ready for the day, and take the opportunity to get up from your desk and walk around. It’s easy to get lost in whatever you are doing, so a fitness watch or other smart device can remind you to get moving. Acting on these alerts can make you feel less stiff and more positive as the day goes on.

Eat well Are your lunchtimes spent catching up on home visits, referrals and paperwork? Try and take at least 30 minutes out of your day to switch off and eat mindfully. Instead of a white bread sandwich - mix it up with whole grain salads or comforting soups. Avoid burnout This may not seem easy when workplace pressures are mounting. Finding the tools and techniques that work for you are part of looking after yourself and feeling better. To achieve workplace wellbeing the whole team needs to be involved – helping each other to make changes to improve everyone’s working life. Talk to your colleagues and family if things are becoming overwhelming, even if you feel like you are managing. Ask for help, make changes to your day, and say ‘no’ when things get too much; this can help you recognise the path to burnout before you get there and take steps to stop it.