Taking a break? What’s that? “The events industry never sleeps!” you exclaim as you make a mental note to find out if caffeine drips are a thing.
In all seriousness, though, most of us agree that our culture worships at the Altar of the Hussle. Those who go faster, further, higher, and beyond reasonable expectations always seem more successful. But at what cost?
While you might be able to keep the hamster wheel spinning for a while, you may have caught on to the idea that such a fast-paced lifestyle is simply not sustainable and almost always leads to burnout.
The reality is that you are a person first and an event planner second. Who you are matters more than what you do. Making sure that your mental health is in a good place will make you a better employee in the long run.
So, now that you have some well-deserved leave coming up…
Here are some ideas to help you prioritise personal rest and wellness this festive season
Switch Off Your Phone
Don’t panic – this is a good thing.
Starting your day on social media sets the tone for the rest of your day. It’s information overload. Before you know it, you’ve consumed more useless information before breakfast than you would in a lifetime. It can be energy-draining and life-sapping.
Your phone is an important part of your job and probably always will be. The idea here is to try and use your holiday downtime to be a bit more intentional about how your phone fits into your day. And hopefully, you can start nurturing better phone habits.
Some things to think about:
- Remember, just because people can text or call doesn’t mean they get instant access to you. You don’t have to take a call or answer a text immediately.
- Be aware of what kind of media you consume. Is it affecting your mood negatively? Hit that Unfollow button. Curate social feeds that nurture positivity.
- Consider a media break. Delete your social and news apps temporarily and watch how this positively affects your mood and sense of well-being.
- Delete work related apps like email to remove the temptation to check-in.
- Do you mindlessly scroll through apps when you’re bored? Be prepared for those moments and have a substitute ready: a good book, an errand, DIY or something creative, journaling, etc.
- Keep your phone on if you need to, but maybe keep it in another room if you don’t want to be distracted.
- When meeting a friend for coffee or having a conversation, keep your phone in your bag. One less distraction will help you stay in the moment.
Set Clear Boundaries
Ah, yes, the B-word. This can be a tough one, especially if bosses, colleagues, and clients have had an all-access pass to you and your time this year. It’s completely understandable – it’s the eventing industry. But if you’re going to get the kind of rest you need during your leave (which you’re entitled to, by the way), it’s a non-negotiable no-brainer.
The thing about boundaries is that if you’ve never had them, people are going to respond to them in one of two ways: 1) they’ll respect them, or 2) they’ll have a problem with them. Either way, that’s on them. Boundaries are there to protect you, your peace of mind, your health and your wellbeing. You need to be prepared to be ok with people not liking them.
Here are some ways that you can enforce healthy boundaries with clients and colleagues:
- Communicate your leave dates well beforehand
- Be clear that you will not be contactable for work-related issues during that time
- If another colleague is on standby for you, do the necessary introductions
- Ask clients to refrain from texting you while you’re on leave and use alternative channels to communicate
- Put all this information in a clear email and discuss face-to-face with your clients
- Put an ‘in case of an emergency’ protocol in place
- Pre-record an ‘out of office’ voicemail for incoming client calls
Fuel Your Body
Have you found it hard to stick to a healthy diet this year? Don’t worry, many of us have been in the same boat. When your days are jam-packed with event planning and life is hectic, healthy eating can easily take a backseat. Not to mention the inconvenience that loadshedding has been when it comes to our food prep and eating schedules.
Now is a great time to give your eating habits a good reset. When you see food as fuel, it can change the way you choose and enjoy what you eat.
Here are some tips to help you eat better:
- Eat a good breakfast everyday, like yoghurt and trail mix, steel cut oats with yummy toppings, or toasted seed bread topped with avo and scrambled eggs
- Get rid of all junk food in your pantry and fridge
- Cut down on sugar and sodas
- Stock up on healthier grab-and-go snacks like nuts, dried fruit and trail mix
- Amp up your veggies, protein and good fats, and go easy on the carbs
- Keep lots of fresh water within reach and stay hydrated
- Plan your meals and stick to your menu
- Shop for all your groceries online to minimise impulse buying
- Eat slowly and mindfully, ideally not in front of the TV
Stay Active
Moving your body is one of the best ways to clear your head and re-energise. All those feel-good endorphins will boost your mood and refresh you. Make sure you get out into nature often this festive season. Whether you head to your local park, the beach or a hiking trail, fresh air and sunshine is one of the best natural tonics for a tired body and mind.
Here are some fun ways to stay active this summer:
- Do coffee walks with friends
- Try an online dance workout
- Turn on some tunes and dance while you clean house
- Mow your lawn and do some gardening
- Sign up for fun walks and runs
- Take your dog for a walk
- Cycle to the shop
- Join a Zumba class at the gym
- Play games with your kids in the backyard
- Go hiking or rock climbing
Rest
Have you ever found that even after a full night’s sleep, you still feel more tired than ever? According to research, rest is about more than just getting some shut-eye. Did you know that there are seven types of rest that we all need?
Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith, author of Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, identified the seven types of rest you need to optimise your productivity, increase your overall happiness, overcome burnout, and live your best life.
Working in the events industry can be grueling. Are you interested in finding out what kind of rest is best for you this holiday? Take the Rest Assessment here.
Ideas to include moments of rest in your day:
- Do nothing (it’s harder than it sounds)
- Take a nap
- Go for a solo walk
- Wake up early and enjoy your coffee outside in the quiet of the morning
- Sit in silence, meditate or do focused breathing exercises
- Spend time with an encouraging friend
- Do a crossword puzzle or colour in
- Watch a movie or your favourite series
- Read a good book
- Cook or bake something delicious
- Lie back and listen to your favourite playlist
We hope these tips inspire you to prioritise rest and wellness this holiday. Enjoy your time off and have a fantastic festive season – you deserve it! Subscribe to our newsletter for more great tips.