It seems a soothing balm is needed to heal the wounds inflicted by 2020 and to provide the peace of mind for you to enjoy the festive season.
You may need to get yourself some special gifts that will bring joy, for some consolation that will help you face 2012 with confidence and optimism – which seems like a big task after the harrowing 2020.
The gift of self-care
At the heart of self-care is rest. Rest is the only way to overcome the 1001 stressors that affect you. The body uses rest and sleep as a recharge, to gain energy to tackle the next hurdle. Make sure to make time to just do nothing – as difficult as it may seem.
Read and write
On the road to 2021 be sure to step into a bookshop for a life-changing good book. Even if you aren’t in the mood for self-help, get a fun read. Perhaps you enjoy a good scary story or a romance novel. Allow your mind to wander from your own life and engross yourself in someone else’s fantastic story.
Then on the way to the pay-point at the bookstore, stop off for a beautiful journal and a fountain pen in which to write your thoughts, aspirations and gratitude. Or if writing is not your thing, then invest in a colouring book for adults and a box of 48 colour pencils with which to colour away stress.
According to Positive Psychology; “There are many ways to incorporate art into spiritual healing and emotional growth, including drawing, painting, listening to music, or interpretive dance. These methods can be great for artistic people, but there are also creative and expressive ways to dig yourself out of a rut that doesn’t require any special artistic talents.
One such method is writing therapy. You don’t need to be a prolific writer, or even a writer at all, to benefit from writing therapy. All you need is a piece of paper, a pen and the motivation to write.”
Smells and oils
A great fragrance can really make a change to your mood. Perhaps a relaxing lavender candle burning while you take a bath, or some essential oils for the bath instead? Essential oils that can help you get into the right frame of mind to de-stress.
Before you use any supplements, oils or anything that will touch the skin – be sure to consult a medical professional.
Exercise
There have been rumours that there may in fact be a return to more intense lockdown regulations. If this is the case, you may want to buy basic gym equipment that will help you stay fit. The gym industry was heavily affected by the COVID-19 lockdown and it is believed that communal spaces like gyms are breeding grounds for the disease.
According to Pay Flex, a yoga/exercise mat is a must-have while dumbbells for weight loss and building muscle, foam rollers for motion and flexibility, resistance and kinetic bands and the highly underrated kettlebell can all give you the full-body workout while in the comfort of your own home, whenever you feel like it.
The gift of learning
It is never too late to learn and whatever you learn may just be what you need to get a promotion or a much-needed new job with growth potential. You can pick and choose any number of short online certificate courses on the Internet.
One of the most prestigious and popular online study programmes available is the one offered by UCT in conjunction with the university’s partner Get Smarter. They offer a “broad array of disciplines and subject areas, from finance, technology, business and leadership to marketing, project management, the built environment and investments”.
Another popular online course is the TEFL course – Teach English as a Foreign Language which has seen many South Africans expand their horizons by teaching English at schools the entire world over, where non-English speakers are hungry to learn the language.
The gift of growing your own food
While being stuck at home during lockdown, thoughts of survival and food security were uppermost in many people’s thoughts. They turned to growing their own vegetables and are reaping fresh, tasty and nutritious produce.
According to SA Homeowner, the key is to start small, study the elements, plan, prepare the soil or containers, invest in good tools and plants/seeds in season and with time you will be a beneficiary of nature’s bounty.
The gift of communing with nature
If you love being in nature close to the city, consider buying a membership for an annual fee with SANBI National Botanical Gardens across South Africa: the Free State, Hantam, Harold Porter, Karoo Desert, Kirstenbosch, KwaZulu-Natal, the Lowveld, Pretoria and Walter Sisulu.
Some of the perks of membership are quarterly copies of the environmental journal, Veld & Flora, getting a discount at their bookstores, attending nature talks and having the opportunity to volunteer at a botanical garden and be part of a community with like-minded nature conservationists.
The gift of giving
There is no greater gift than giving. To this end, there are many non-profit organisations who need willing volunteers to assist them. There are feeding schemes, homeless shelters, charity fund-raisers that support NPOs, hospices, hospitals, orphanages, wildfire-fighting crews, first aiders, special needs schools and organisations of every ilk in your community, city, or elsewhere in Africa where you can volunteer your expertise and free time.
According to drivesouthafrica.com through “helping others live better lives, it can also help you nurture skills and develop yourself in ways you may not have thought possible”. It also helps you connect with people from all walks of life; it teaches you new skills and improves your existing abilities.
