Mindful Minute: October Trick or Treat

By Koryn Sheppard

In October, the festive spirit of “trick or treat” fills the neighborhood. Beyond the candy and costumes, this playful phrase offers a reminder to enhance your mental well-being. Before the holiday season sweeps us into its whirlwind of activity, let’s explore some “tricks” for self-care and “treats” for ourselves and others.

The tricks: Tips for improving your wellbeing

Think of these as the tricks you can play on stress and anxiety to reclaim your peace of mind before the holidays hit their peak.

Set healthy boundaries: It’s a foundational skill for managing holiday pressure. This might mean politely declining invitations, limiting time with difficult relatives, or setting a holiday budget you can stick to. Protecting your energy is vital, and “no” can be a complete and powerful sentence.

Stick to a routine: The holiday season can easily disrupt regular schedules. Maintaining core habits, such as consistent sleep times, regular exercise, and healthy eating, can provide stability amidst the chaos.

Schedule “me time”: As you plan for others, be sure to block out some time for yourself. Whether it’s a quiet walk, a few minutes of meditation, or simply enjoying a cup of tea, these small breaks can help you recharge.

Embrace imperfection: It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of the “perfect” holiday. Instead, focus on what is meaningful to you and let go of the pressure to make everything flawless. Sometimes, the most beautiful moments are the imperfect ones.

Plan ahead: Careful planning can reduce stress. Get a jump on shopping, plan travel arrangements early, and break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

The treats: For yourself and others

A little indulgence goes a long way, especially when you’re treating yourself and others with compassion and kindness.

Treat yourself: Think of a simple pleasure that lifts your spirits and schedule it into your week. Try a relaxing bath, watch a favorite movie, or get outside and connect with nature. This isn’t selfish; it’s a necessary step to recharge your emotional batteries.

Treat others: Research shows that kindness is not only good for others, but it also provides a powerful boost to your own mood and reduces stress. A simple act of kindness, such as a heartfelt compliment, offering help with a task, or listening without judgment, can make a significant difference.

Practice gratitude: The holiday season is a perfect time to reflect on the blessings in your life. Keep a gratitude journal or simply take a few moments each day to think about what you are thankful for. This simple practice can help you stay grounded and shift your focus from stress to what truly matters.

Create meaningful connections: Loneliness can be a challenge during the holidays. Make an effort to connect with loved ones by scheduling a phone call or inviting someone you care about for a simple meal. For those who are far from family, consider volunteering or joining a community event to foster new connections.

This October, let’s turn “trick or treat” into a practice of mindfulness and gratitude. Your challenge is to perform one random act of kindness for someone else and one act of self-care for yourself every day for one week.

For others: Send a kind text to a friend, let someone go ahead of you in line, or volunteer for a cause that is close to your heart.

For yourself: Take 10 minutes to sit quietly without your phone, enjoy a warm cup of tea, write down three things you are grateful for, or spend time on a favorite hobby.

By incorporating these small, intentional actions, you can navigate the busy season with greater peace and a deeper sense of well-being.

Check out the Wellness for Lawyers webpage and see the October Wellness Pledge.