The need for resilience in December

#resilience #wellbeing

© 2023 Zoryna O’Donnell

This article was first published by The Maverick Paradox Magazine on 15/12/2023

Do we really need more resilience in December? The answer to this question is a resounding “Yes”.

According to Firstbeat’s extensive wellness database which, while focusing mostly on data from Finland, also includes a significant percentage of measurements from other countries, December is the most stressful month of the year. Firstbeat highlighted the following main factors contributing to this phenomenon:

- increased end-of-year pressures at work;

- heavier overall load;

- increased darkness and shorter days;

- holiday chores and demands; and

- for some, an increased consumption of alcohol / late nights due to various social events and parties.

Researchers from Firstbeat also pointed out that while the amount of stress increases, the restorative effect of sleep decreases at the same time, even if we sleep for longer at the end of the year when compared to the months of the year with more daylight.

An article published last year by Open Access Government, a digital publication that provides an in-depth perspective on key public policy areas from all around the world, quoted findings from the GoProposal survey of 750 small businesses which identified November and December as the most stressful times for businesses, followed closely by January and February.

This means that we should be looking at building our resilience for December as a marathon which requires both physical and mental toughness because, in addition to an increase in work-related and domestic pressures, December brings an additional emotional toll.

You don’t have to continue to perpetuate this vicious circle. Give yourself a permission to break free from things that are no longer necessary, useful or enjoyable. Break free from the things and people that suck your energy and leave you exhausted physically and mentally.

You can build your resilience and make December more enjoyable and relaxing with some tips which are based on the top three characteristics of highly resilient people described by Diane Coutu in her article How Resilience Works. …

Please read the entire article here. [ https://themaverickparadox.com/the-need-for-resilience-in-december/  ]

Image credit: chikottawa via Pixabay.