5,4,3,2,1…. Happy New Year!
What an exciting time of year this is. A brand new year signifies 365 blank pages to fill with memories and growth. I don’t know about you, but the new year brings a new sense of hope for me. I want to grow and expand my horizons, and I also want to be better than I was the year before. I want to start this year off with a bang, go full speed ahead, and be ready to take on the world! As a professional in the 911 industry, you have very busy, stressful days and there’s no time like the present to make yourself a priority.
I know what you are thinking; this girl had too much coffee this morning. She also must still be drinking the "resolution Kool-Aid". Maybe you’re right, and I did have a little too much coffee this morning...who doesn’t need a third or fourth cup (who’s counting?) when you are coming back to work from the holiday season? However, my enthusiasm still has a point. I have thought about this long and hard, and I’ve come up with a few ideas you can start in 2018 that could help you be a better you.
Eat Breakfast!
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I’m guilty of skipping breakfast too, but studies have highlighted the important benefits of having that first meal.
Here’s an awesome recipe that will help you skip the chore of having to make breakfast in the morning when you’re already running late:
OVERNIGHT OATS
Ingredients:
- ½ cup raw oats
- ⅓ cup fat-free milk
- ⅓ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey
- A handful of fruit. I like berries in mine, but you can use bananas or whatever floats your boat.
Layer all of the ingredients in a mason jar, and screw on the lid. Shake it up, and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Enjoy in the morning or evening or whenever your shift starts. Hey its ok to have breakfast for dinner!
Get That Heart Rate Up to Make You Feel More Alive!
Getting your heart rate up doesn’t have to be difficult, as there are many simple ways to get started. You can do this by taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Park in the back of the lot to get more steps in. Walk around your Communication Center at lunch. STAND UP at your desk while you are taking calls! If you can commit, these small steps will add up to big changes in the future.
Let’s Focus on Your Mind!
Let’s face it; life is stressful. Being a 911 professional is hard and trying to save the world is a big challenge. You deal with life or death on a daily basis, and that’s enough to make anyone scream or cry. To combat the high stress levels, be sure to take some time for yourself. Close your eyes for 5-10 minutes, and picture whatever makes you happy. Personally, the beach makes me happy! I love the sounds of the ocean, the sway of the palm trees, and the smell of the saltwater. When I close my eyes and let my mind slip away to this happy place, it allows me to de-stress. Find your happy place, and try to visit it in your mind for a few minutes a day!
Happy 2018!
While it’s great to serve others, remember to schedule some time to take care of yourself as well so that you can make 2018 your best and healthiest year yet! Here is to a NEW year!
