It’s easy to get carried away and over-commit oneself during the holiday season. Between attending parties, shopping for gifts, and visiting with family, we can feel stressed out. To relieve holiday-induced tension, take time each day to practice self care.
What is self care? Self care is a deliberate activity done to improve one’s health, whether physical, mental, or emotional. Taking care of yourself is not selfish. Being relaxed and healthy will allow you to be more present with loved ones during the holidays, and have the energy to accomplish all your holiday-related tasks.
Not sure where to start? Follow our tips for practicing self care during the holidays.
- Make Mornings Count
Make a little bit of extra time for yourself in the morning. Wake up 15 minutes earlier and practice a favorite activity, whether it be reading, yoga, or simply enjoying a cup of hot coffee. Practicing self care in the morning will help you to prioritize yourself and start your day with intention.
- Don’t Skip Your Vegetables
By all means, indulge in your favorite holiday treats. But the other 80% of the time, make sure you’re eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of nutrient-dense foods. Keeping your diet in check will provide you with more energy for holiday activities, maintain your glowing skin, and help you to sleep better.
- Schedule a Mini Spa Session
Perhaps you don’t have time for a spa night, but that doesn’t mean you need to forego beauty treatments altogether. Kick back and unwind for 20 minutes with BioRepublic’s Cucumber Breeze Soothing Sheet Mask and some relaxing music. Afterwards, both your face and your spirit will feel rejuvenated.
- Just Breathe
This tip costs nothing and takes almost no time at all! Throughout the day, take deep, relaxing breaths to relieve tension and stress.
- Write in a Journal
Interactions with family and friends during the holidays often mean heightened emotions. To relieve pressure, practice free writing. Set a timer for 30 minutes and write whatever comes to mind during that time period. Don’t worry about what you write, just enjoy the process of letting go. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.
- Prioritize Your Schedule
To prevent feeling overwhelmed, prioritize tasks that are most important to you. For example, if you value family above everything else, you may need to skip a friend’s holiday party to make cookies for your family. If you’re short on time, you’ll be ensuring that you’re giving your energy to a worthy cause.
- Relinquish Expectations
We all dream of having a magical season - the perfect tree, the perfect party, the perfect holiday. However, when things don’t go according to plan, we become disappointed. Instead of creating unrealistic expectations, live in the moment and practice gratitude. You’ll find that you’ll enjoy your holidays a lot more, even if they don’t turn out exactly as you have planned.
- Have a Laugh
Laughter really is the best medicine. Laughing is proven to relieve tension and improve your mood. Watch a funny movie, catch a comedy show, or play a silly game with friends.
- Spend Time Outdoors
Even if it’s cold outside, bundle up and go for a walk. Even a brief walk can improve mental energy, relieve stress, and increase creativity.
- Get Enough Zzz’s
You can’t take care of others if you’re burned out or sick. To keep up your energy levels and prevent a dreaded winter cold, make sure to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. If you can’t stick to your normal sleeping patterns, try to make up lost sleep with afternoon naps. Even a 20 minute nap will improve your focus and energy levels.
How do you practice self care during the holidays? Let us know in the comments!
Written by: Colleen Welsch
