Although the end of the year comes with great thoughts of the forthcoming festive season - fancy food, delirious drinks and powerful parties - it also often occurs with much fatigue and the simple desire to see the end of the past year's troubles and to be able to start afresh!

i know many patients that have dragged themselves through the turmoil of December - Year end parties, Christmas parties; not to mention the rush of a December holiday by the sea! All of this, only to return in January, Carrying even more stress and tension that is rampant throughout their bodies. Health issues that may become apparent in January, are then complicated by the combination of this additional stress, over-indulgent toxicity and even mixed with perhaps the fear of what "pandemic" the new year will bring.

Does this sound like you?

Instead of making some ridiculous impulsive New Year's resolution, why not start your holiday the right way and holiday correctly.

In the Bushveld the lion spends much time relaxing and conserving energy preparing for the next big hunt! We call this "Balles Bak" in Afrikaans and it aptly demonstrates how to holiday correctly.

Each holiday should have a purpose or intention and you should set your daily action, on holiday, to that desired purpose.

If you are travelling and exploring - You will set daily actions of sightseeing.
If you are resting and recuperating - You will set daily actions that help you to physiologically relax.

The physiological rule of balance must be respected on holiday. So contemplate what your work persona is. Holiday should be complete opposite of that daily work persona.

For example on Holiday :
If you are always smartly dressed - relish dressing like a scruff

If you always wear shoes - exult in the sensation of going barefoot.
If you wake up early - experience the luxury of sleeping in.

Most people work in a more analytical environment rather than a creativity environment.
so on holiday, ensure that you have creativity time - no matter what that looks like!
Draw
Paint
sing
Do Origami

Time is a precious entity and we never seem to have enough of it to do the things we want to do. 
So make a point of spending time doing things that you never normally get to do.
When last did you watch a movie?
When last did you do a a puzzle?
when last did you read a book?
When last did you play cards or a board game?

Stress and emotional challenges throughout the year accumulate. They fill our brains with unwanted concerns and drain our psyche.
So - Defrag your brain!

https://aspirehappyness.co.za/blog/happyness/busy-mind-defrag-your-brain

The Parasympathetic is the part of your nervous system that controls rest, digestion and healing. If your holiday is for recuperation, then take note that there are many activities that switch this off, as well as some activities that switch it on.

AVOID (on Holiday)
 - Coffee
 - Stress
 - Prolonged Screen time
 - Loud music
 - High intensity exercise

Participate (on Holiday)
 - Sensory experiences
 - Soft music
 - Long walks outside
 - Reading
 - Afternoon naps
 - Barefoot walking
 - Warm baths
 - Yoga / stretching
 - Moderate Sunbathing
 - Gardening

Our daily time at work can be so preoccupied with all the Suppliers, Consumers, Customers, Big Bosses, Team Meetings and potential Business Associates, that we tend to miss out on the most important people in our lives.
What do your children love doing?
What is important for your spouse?
What are your parents requiring?
What is your family in need of?

Reconnect with them again!

Holidays should be the well-deserved break and the reward that you deserve for everything that you do.
Make sure you make the most of them and enjoy them

Towards the end of your holiday, start setting your focus on the requirements for your return to work and / or normal life and what actions you will need to put in place to achieve this.

But - During this time also make sure you have thought about and discussed your next holiday so that you can look forward to your next reward for all your hard work!

PS. Feel free to discuss with us directly what is best for your physiology