”December has passed, the month when most of us are in a good mood, running around for presents, scrounging for money for lights, bulbs, globes, sarmale, pork cooked in every possible way, wine… December fever makes us forget about the bad, the frustration, the upset, to give the Valley of Mourning a more dynamic, noisy, colourful, hopeful place, whatever that means.

It’s as if we are suspended above our lives in a state of well-being and enjoying it. I would venture to say that December is the month when we are in a state of wellbeing.

But what do we do in January? How do we make sure that this wellbeing lasts at least until spring?

What does December’s wellbeing mean?

The music we hear everywhere urging us to be better. We think about giving presents and we get presents. For a while, we focus on the good in those around us, we think of them fondly, we want to give them a pleasant surprise.

We give ourselves permission to be happy about many things: that the weather is nice or that it’s snowing, that we’ve found some coloured orbs and that we’ll have a special tree, that we’re going to visit our parents, that we’re inviting some friends.

We worry about our New Year’s outfit.

We keep ourselves busy all the time with various activities, shopping, like most people, and that leaves us less time for negative thoughts.

We show care, concern, love for others, give and receive affection more than usual.

We do good deeds, show an ounce of compassion to those in need, and this makes us feel good.

Surely there are other aspects too. But I would like to dwell on the exhortation:

“Let’s be better”. We need that state of mind that was promoted in December to continue. Of course, we also need resilience, the ability to bounce back from difficult times, critical thinking that looks down on everything and analyses things correctly. Sure, it’s good to take care of ourselves, to put on our own oxygen mask.

But let’s not forget that we are not built to live in isolation, we need to “invest” ourselves and we need to feel that others care about us. Sincere connection, caring about people, relating, these are aspects that can support us in the fight against stress or burnout.

If we did some good deeds in December, how about we continue and do them every month? How about investing time and energy in a cause above our daily interests? There are many NGOs, many homes, many people who could benefit from support.

The busier we are with reconnecting with others, with helping, with growing, the easier we will get through the inherent hardships of existence. We will give meaning to each month, and the good will endure.

Here are some suggestions for a well-being you can build step by step:

  • Give your time to an NGO
  • Go to a class every quarter
  • Read a few pages of a book every day
  • Watch a good movie every week
  • Call an acquaintance you don’t talk to every day. Ask how they’re doing, listen with a desire to understand.
  • Travel often, at least twice a year, to another country
  • Get a bike and exercise at home if you’re afraid to go to the gym or find it out of your reach to go to parks
  • Make a list of those actions you’re glad you did
  • Save 5-10 lei at least every day, put it in a piggy bank.
  • Pay someone a compliment, say a kind word every day.
  • Have a glass of wine/champagne once in a while. You don’t need to wait for great achievements to celebrate. Sometimes we can celebrate ourselves.
  • Get yourself a really good dark chocolate and indulge yourself every now and then.
  • Get more sleep on the weekends. Just as you charge your phone, it’s good to take care of yourself too.
  • Listen to podcasts from people who research at the world’s top business schools. It’s one way to have conversations with brilliant minds. Be careful though, listen to the best, the ones who are really creating, innovating, your time is limited. Respect it.
  • Imagine that you succeed, that you have energy, vitality, inspiration, and you will succeed. The brain doesn’t really know the difference between reality and fantasy, it will program itself for a good mood if you give it this command!”

via: Forbes