The Check-In: One Month into 2022

Entering the third year of the pandemic, we’re allowed to eschew resolutions in favor of practicing compassion and patience with ourselves.

We know stress levels are high with pandemic concerns, schools returning to remote learning, loved ones kept at a distance, and the uncertainty of the future as a source of constant anxiety.

Instead of focusing on self-improvement resolutions, usually abandoned after a month, we’re advocating for self-care by taking some time to tend to ourselves. Below, we’ve compiled some tips to help you navigate these challenging times:

Self-Care

Ensure you’re eating as healthy as possible, getting enough rest/sleep, and not taking on more than you can handle.

Getting Outdoors

Getting outdoors into the sunlight effectively lifts your mood, increases your Vitamin D levels, and boosts creativity. Be sure to bundle up and dress for the weather in your region when heading out for any outdoor winter activity.

Maintain Connections

Find ways to check in on family and friends, be it virtually or in socially distanced gatherings outdoors. Sharing feelings and experiences brings us closer, which is especially vital during these trying times.

Practice Gratitude

The pandemic has illustrated what is truly important in life, like friends, family, and all the little things that make life worth living. Perhaps a gratitude journal to take a moment to focus on the good things may help provide some perspective when things seem bleak, or you find it difficult to find some optimism.

Give Back

Thinking beyond yourself and helping those in need is a great way to boost your mood. Finding causes close to your heart will help you extend that sense of fulfillment even further.