While the holiday season is the busiest time of year for some, it is the time of our least productivity for others. Whichever describes you and your business, it’s important to note that we all have stress, and we all face burnout — especially in this volatile, unpredictable time of a pandemic.

Here are five ways you can rejuvenate yourself so that you arrive at the start of 2022 feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to take on the world:

1. Take a break. Even if it’s just for an hour, step away from your work and do something you enjoy. Whether that means reading, taking a walk, or simply closing your eyes and resting, every professional needs to recharge the batteries every so often.
2. Get organized. This goes hand-in-hand with taking a break. Having a plan and knowing what you need to do will help reduce stress levels and focus on the task at hand. Often our most significant stress — especially during the holiday season — can come from a lack of planning and organization.
3. Delegate tasks. Especially if you’re a small business owner, it’s important to delegate tasks and responsibilities. Delegation will free up more time for you to do the jobs that only you can accomplish — for example, developing new product lines or reaching out to potential clients.
4. Take care of yourself. You need food in your system to recharge energy levels. We often overeat during the holiday season, and the choices we make aren’t always the best for our bodies. (I am SO guilty in this regard! I am setting a goal to do better this year.) Try and make sure you consume nutritious food that will recharge your body, mind, and soul. You likely won’t do that for every meal this season — so take care when you can.
5. Surround yourself with positive people. It’s often said that you are the average of the five people you spend your time with, so make sure those who influence you each day are optimistic and encouraging! We all have negative relatives or those we find irritating — and that we have to be around during this season. Don’t let them bring you down! Another cliche we need to remember is that what they do…and what they think of you…is not your business. As the Disney song says, “Let it go, let it go!” When you have the opportunity to choose the people that you will spend time with, go with the positive folks who charge your batteries rather than drain your spirits.

While sometimes it seems like there is not enough time in a day to recharge our batteries, we must take this vital step — otherwise, our businesses will suffer as well as our health.

Use these tips to help rejuvenate yourself so that you can be your best self in this holiday season as you prepare for a distinctive New Year!