Cultivating Gratitude This Holiday Season
'Tis the season to be jolly! Yet for many people, the holidays can also be synonymous with stress. With 2020 already being a challenging year, it is sure to be a holiday season unlike any other we’ve experienced.
As many of us will not be able to see our friends and family this year, there are ways to start new traditions during this unprecedented year.
Practice Self-Care & Mindfulness
One way to make sure you experience the warmth of the season is to slow down and acknowledge the feelings and emotions you are going though. Take the time for self-care and remember to acknowledge all the things and people in your life that make you feel grateful. While gratitude and generosity are commonly shared values during this season, lets also focus on stress management and find ways to re-imagine the holidays!
Make a plan to do something nice for yourself on a daily basis over the holidays. Try to aim for a new goal or activity including yoga, meditation, aroma therapy, proper sleep, or balancing nutrition.
Spread Gratitude & Cheer this Holiday Season
Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what you receive, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, you acknowledge the positive aspects in your life and in the process helps you connect to something larger than your individual experience and form a genuine appreciation for what you already have.
As a signature strength, gratitude is felt and expressed in multiple ways. It can be applied to:
· Your Past: Retrieving positive memories and being thankful for elements of your childhood or past experiences
· Your Present: Not taking things for granted as they come
· Your Future: Being hopeful and optimistic that good things are to come
Why We Need Gratitude Now More Than Ever
We are living through unusual times and although 2020 Holiday season will be unlike any other, it’s important to find creative ways to connect, celebrate and reflect. Take a moment and reflect what is meaningful to you and encourage others around you to do the same. A few short moments can make all the difference. Check out the health benefits and why Gratitude is so important during the coronavirus pandemic here.
We encourage you to give the following exercises a try and see what effect it has on your own life. Remember that your coworkers are also part of your circle so we should not forget to extend generosity and gratitude to them during this time!
1. Inspire Yourself: Write down three things each day for which you are thankful for.
2. Reflect on Your Team: Take the time to think about how your teammates are doing, are they coping well and could they use a little cheer?
3. Find and appreciate the silent heroes: you know the ones that make things happen without the expectation of recognition or reward! Pass along a quick appreciation email and a shout out to your colleague with a Cheer in the Cheers from Peers program! And don’t forget the reward prizes have increased too!
4. Virtual Team Bonding: Managers and team leads, want to appreciate your employees? Take advantage of the Virtual Quarterly Team Lunch! Find more info here: Virtual Team Lunch
For more tips and best practices, check out the article here!
Be Safe this Holiday Season
Your physical and mental wellbeing is important and we want to make sure you are aware of all the resources available to you through our benefits program:
· We’ve put together a one stop shop, PRNA Work Life Balance site, available to you and your families including Employee Assistance Programs, childcare assistance, wellness activities, and so much more. Make sure to check it out here.
· Did You Get Your Flu Shot Yet? Flu season is in full swing. Remember to protect yourself and get your flu vaccination. For all PRUSA employees, we offer free flu shots through CVS. Make sure to check out our new benefits site here for more information about all the benefits you are entitled to at PRUSA.
As a reminder, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says celebrating virtually or with members of your own household (who are consistently taking measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19) poses the lowest risk for spread of the illness. For CDC-approved holiday gathering tips and best practices, check them out here.
