For gym owners and operators, the New Year’s rush is one of the most stressful times of the year. With that in mind, now is the perfect time to feel gratitude for your friends and loved ones, give back to your community, and indulge in a little self-care.
Why is it important to do these things? A study mentioned in Forbes recently showed that gratitude can improve your health, improve your sleep, and even reduce the effects of PTSD.
And there are loads of little ways you can show your family and community your gratitude that won’t cost money, but will vastly improve your happiness levels. Try calling or sending letters, just to express your appreciation to a longtime friend. Volunteer, doing something you are passionate about. Donate to food banks and shelters to assist those in your community who are struggling. Make it a priority to say thank you, from your heart, to anyone who does you a service. With each little step taken, you’ll find your own heart lifting a bit and welcoming joy into your life.
Giving thoughtful gifts is also a lovely way to show your appreciation to the people you love and are thankful for. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money. Everyone enjoys music of some kind, so I’ve found that a pretty universal and welcomed gesture is to send gift cards to online music services, such as Amazon, iTunes or Spotify. That way, people can log on when it’s convenient to their busy schedule and download or listen to exactly what they enjoy.
Of course, if you are crafty or have mad kitchen skills, a personalized gift made with your own hands is always a little more magical. Again, keeping it simple is the way to go.
Since stress is practically unavoidable during the New Year’s rush, be sure to include self-care on your to-do list. What do I mean specifically by “self-care”? Making time to take care of you, instead of everyone else.
This includes being mindful about sticking to your exercise routine. Be sure to get a healthful night’s sleep each evening and stick to a healthy eating plan.
Self-care also includes moments spent relaxing quietly with a good book, or a body nourishing activity like getting a pedicure or massage.
Listen to your body and your soul and give yourself what you need to stay strong for others, so you can help them achieve their goals this New Year’s rush.
Lindsey Rainwater, also known as Lindsey RainH2O, is a sought-after business advisor, founder, writer, and keynote speaker to the fitness and wellness industry. For more information about Rainwater, follow her on Twitter @LindseyRainH2O.
