Let’s all go on a mind holiday!

November 24, 2016
mind, holiday, vacation, pool

mind, holiday, vacation, pool

Yesterday I posted the image below on the blog’s Facebook page with a comment about how everyone is so exhausted at this time of year, and that hopefully everyone will get a nice break over the Christmas period before their battery runs out!

low battery, tired, exhausted

Last year, only 1 day later than today (25 November 2015), I wrote about this phenomenon and called it ‘Endofyearitis‘.  What causes this ‘Endofyearitis‘ do you think?   Sometimes I think that when we are getting near to something (in this case – Christmas and the end of the year), we start to ease off on the accelerator and this allows us to truly feel.  We feel how tired we are – physically, mentally and sometimes even spiritually.  Add to this that the temperature had suddenly become much hotter as we race into summer and this can add to our energy drain.  Throw in busy shopping centres and Christmas shopping, parties and so on and give it all a good mix … and voila … ‘Endofyearitis‘.  I wrote on a similar topic just recently in my post ‘Tips for managing Christmas stress‘.

I’ve felt it myself this year!  I may not live the corporate life any longer but I live a full and busy life and my mind is constantly busy and there are always things to be done.  I think what we all need is a ‘MIND HOLIDAY‘.  Yes – that’s it!  It doesn’t mean that we’ll be walking around like brainless zombies.  No – it means giving our busy and cluttered minds full of thoughts and things to be done a well deserved break!  No more planning, strategizing, analysing, and researching.  No more striving (see here and here).  So how do we do this?  Easy!

  1. Take a holiday!  It helps if you get away somewhere (away from the usual domestic chores).
  2. Digital Detox – we need a good break from social media, regularly.  It’s great and it’s fun but it is like falling into abyss.  It’s time consuming.  It fills our brains with So.Much.Stuff.  It keeps our minds switched on way more than they should be. 

While your mind is on holiday, why not spoil it rotten and do whatever you can to make it a happy and healthy mind so you can come back to normal life strong, refreshed, happy, resilient and peaceful!  Here’s some ways we can do this:

  • Remind your mind of all the things you’re grateful for and happy about
  • Eat nice fresh and healthy food – there’s heaps of it that is so delicious!
  • Keep active – do what you enjoy – swimming, walking, running, dancing!
  • Don’t over indulge with the alcohol
  • Enjoy meeting new people and engaging in interesting conversations
  • Self acceptance – can you love yourself as you are?  It’s a hard one but a worthwhile thing to work on for a truly happy mind. I’ve got to admit – this is one I am still working on.
  • Explore new places – there is nothing like a change of scenery and exploring places you’ve  never been before to light you up
  • Meditate if you like to meditate but if not – go sit somewhere lovely and take some time to just be
  • Relax.  Read a book.  Have Naps.  Go swimming.  Have fun and laugh.  Play games. 
  • Media – avoid the news.  It’s always bad these days.  Have a break from it – even if for a short time.
  • Nature. Nature. Nature.  Get outdoors and let nature help balance you out.

So who’s planning a MIND HOLIDAY this silly season?  Mine is in less than 2 weeks!

Ciao for now,

Min-Signature

lovin-life-linky

 Link up here at WOTM or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:
Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit, Johanna of Lifestyle Fifty, Lyndall of Seize the Day Project,
Kathy of 50 Shades of Age, and Deb of Debbish
It doesn’t matter where you link up as it will magically appear on all six blogs


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22 Comments

  • Reply Kathy Marris November 24, 2016 at 7:33 am

    Yes it can be a very stressful time for people who are working and have children about to break up from school. I’m lucky I don’t really fall into these two categories anymore. I’m actually on a detox diet at the moment in preparation for the onslaught of Christmas fare. So at least my body will be ready! I have been purchasing Christmas gifts online too which takes the hassle out of fighting with the crowds in the shopping centres. I believe that Christmas is overrated and it would be nice to simplify it a bit more.

    • Reply Min November 24, 2016 at 5:41 pm

      Oh I’m glad I don’t have all the school speech nights and so forth to go to anymore. I do miss some things though I must admit. Good on you for getting your body ready for the Xmas fare! I try!! 🙂 x

  • Reply Lyndall @ Seize The Day Project November 24, 2016 at 7:52 am

    I definitely have “enofyearitis” Min. We have so much happening in our family at the moment. I’ve usually started my Christmas shopping by now, but I have absolutely no interest in doing it this year 🙁 Our son wants to put up the lights and the tree this weekend, so that might get me in the Christmas mood. A mind holidays sounds awesome! One of my goals for next year is to be more structured with my time online and to spend less time on social media. #TeamLovinLife

    • Reply Min November 24, 2016 at 5:42 pm

      I have it too Lyndall. I’m considering Xmas shopping tomorrow. I am not a shopper – don’t like it at all and particularly don’t like it when shopping centres get busy at this time of year. I need to make a start though. Stil need to do a list and work out what I need to get! No Christmas tree or decorations up here yet. I usually wait until at least 1 December. I too need to spend less time on social media – it takes up so much time! x

  • Reply Deborah November 24, 2016 at 8:28 am

    Good idea Min. I’ll have a break from blogging over Xmas but am really keen to have a break from social media at the moment. I’m not quite sure how I can manage blogging – sharing posts on social media – without engaging back, but the idea of going offline and having that digital detox against all the negative stuff is very very tempting.

    • Reply Min November 24, 2016 at 5:44 pm

      I’m going to have a bloggy break while on the cruise (apart from posting the odd piccy to Instagram etc) and another over the Xmas/New Year Period. I really need it. I thought about scheduling posts for while I’m away on the cruise but decided against it because the temptation to respond to comments and be interactive etc would be too strong. So I am going to be a bad blogger and just disappear for a bit (apart from Instagram). 🙂 x

  • Reply Sue November 24, 2016 at 10:43 am

    I totally agree Min and love the idea of a ‘Mind holiday’. I definitely need to get away from the laptop, blog and social media but there are other items you mention that I will also be working on. It has been a difficult year, losing my FIL and now caring for my 90 year old MIL so my husband and I can certainly do with a break. Have a wonderful day and thanks for the link up.

    • Reply Min November 24, 2016 at 5:46 pm

      I need to get away from all those things too Sue! I’m so sorry to hear about your FIL. I lost my MIL last year in October. It’s hard. She was nearly 91. It would be hard work looking after your 90 year old MIL and yes a break would do wonders for you. I hope you get one! x

  • Reply Raychael Case November 24, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    I always do this over Christmas. Take a break from planning, goals and the rest. I don’t tend to make resolutions. I wait for February, once the girls are back at school, to look at my goals and plans for the rest of the year. Right now though, I’m needing constant mind breaks. The silly season seems to start earlier each year and I’m already over Christmas before December hits.

    • Reply Min November 24, 2016 at 5:47 pm

      That’s my plan too Raychael. I don’t make resolutions either. In the new year I’ll think about what I’d like to achieve. I’m looking forward to my mini cruise break – I so need it! x

  • Reply Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit November 24, 2016 at 3:56 pm

    I have endofyearitis big time. I have so much more to achieve before Christmas and I’m starting to panic about it to be honest. Deadlines coming up (of my own creation) which I’ve communicated to the world . So the pressure is on!

    I absolutely love that very top photo/picture you have up there. I wish I was that woman right now … she looks so peaceful. (Now I’m starting to go down the comparision mindset that Deb speaks about … )

    • Reply Min November 24, 2016 at 5:53 pm

      OMG I’m starting to panic too Leanne. I am so busy with one thing or another and time is running out before we set sail! Deep breaths Min! haha Good luck with all your deadlines! I hope you get everything done and then get a nice break where you can relax and chill! I want to be that woman in the photo too. In fact when I am on the cruise I will do an interpretation of that pose. I may not look quite as elegant as her but in my head I will! lol 😉 x

  • Reply Jo November 24, 2016 at 3:59 pm

    I also agree Min. There is a phenomenon called Endofyearitis! I also agree that we need a Mind Holiday at this time of year. I don’t know what it is, whether it really is physical and mental or whether we just wind down as the year ends, but I definitely feel tired and in need of a break. I’m looking forward to having a blogging break too and concentrating on all the family things without distraction over Christmas.

    • Reply Min November 24, 2016 at 5:56 pm

      I think it is exactly as you say Jo – we wind down as the year comes to an end and in doing so feel the exhaustion and need of some R&R. I’m looking forward to a bloggy & social media break too. Lots of catching up with friends, floating in the pool and reading books coming up hopefully! 🙂 x

  • Reply inthegoodbooksblog November 24, 2016 at 4:22 pm

    I’m running on empty at the moment too! Christmas has come along so fast, and I have had a lot going on. It can be difficult to find the time to fit it all in!

    • Reply Min November 24, 2016 at 5:58 pm

      Ditto and same! It came on fast didn’t it and yes it’s so hard to fit everything in. One day at a time and I’m making a conscious effort to breathe and try not to let stress & panic ruin the moments! 🙂 x

  • Reply Sydney Shop Girl November 24, 2016 at 5:12 pm

    Mind holiday! That’s genius. I’m trying to take little breaks here and there, weekday staycations I call them. They do wonders for the mind. That being said, my resolution for 2017 is to travel more often!

    SSG xxx

    • Reply Min November 24, 2016 at 5:59 pm

      I love that! Weekday staycations – sign me up! Oh I’d love to travel more often too. I really want to go places I’ve never been before. In less than 2 weeks I will be which will be nice. 🙂 x

  • Reply Leanne@ www.crestingthehill.com.au November 25, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    We’ve just come back from a week away in Singapore – really great to get away and to do lots of new things, but fantastic to come home and appreciate all that we have right here and right now! Roll on Christmas – I’m ready!

    • Reply Min November 26, 2016 at 9:27 pm

      Hope you enjoyed Singapore Leanne. That’s one place I can say I have been. I really liked it there but oh so hot and humid! Good for you for being ready for Christmas. I can’t say the same – I’m far from ready! lol

  • Reply JODIE FILOGOMO November 26, 2016 at 2:27 am

    You are 100% right about this Min!
    Taking time for ourselves and just enjoying the little things can make all the difference in our outlook!!
    I love that you make up words too—“endofyearitis” and “mind holiday”! How absolutely perfect!
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • Reply Min November 26, 2016 at 9:28 pm

      Thanks so much Jodie – glad you agree. I love making up words! lol x

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