“I’ve got rhythm”

The autumn seems to be a time of year when we move from one calendar event to another – from the new school year starting in September, to Halloween in October, shortly followed by Fireworks Night, Children In Need and then of course Christmas. As soon as one event is over the shops are all too happy to proclaim the next. It seems that as we hit the season when light is fading, nights are longer and the weather is more challenging we all need things to look forward to, intentional moments in our calendar to give us a sense of joy and celebration, time with loved ones, an opportunity to break the cycle of normality and do something different.

As leaders it is all too easy to allow our work lives to become all-consuming. There is always too much to do, issues which are clamouring for our attention, people who need our time and input. Before long, our calendars are dominated by work, not just in the usual confines of the work day, but creeping in and quickly taking over other spaces in our lives. Before long we feel exhausted, overwhelmed, robbed of joy and deprived of quality time with those we love.

Developing good well-being habits is crucial for us to be able to thrive in our work – to be able to be fruitful and energised, to stay the course, to be at our best for our team and to model good practices for those we lead. Just like our national calendar with its pre-planned rhythm of seasons and events, it is helpful if we can build in rhythms in our own lives which ensure we get all we need to remain physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually healthy.

 I’m still a work in progress, but I have put a few well-being rhythms in place which already make a big difference, for example, a daily dog walk (physical exercise, fresh air and time to be alone and think), a weekly walk and coffee date with my husband (dedicated time to talk more meaningfully together and to build our relationship) and an annual weekend away with my two best friends (fun, refreshment, rest, good food and quality conversation). Those are a good start but there are more I need to build in because I know that planning them into my calendar is the key to making them happen, and when they happen I feel happier and healthier.

What well-being habits do you need to develop on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis? What things easily get overlooked or ignored if you don’t intentionally make time for them?