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How to Practice Self Care During the Holidays
The holidays are a wondrous time of year filled with all the things you love. There’s great food, beautiful décor, soft and fuzzy sweaters, and that music that only comes around once per year. There’s no wonder people can’t wait for the holidays to help them escape into a time of family, fun, and festivities. It’s easy to get so wrapped up in the holiday spirit that you forget about your self care, but I encourage you not to. Let’s talk about how to practice self care during the holidays so you don’t forget about yourself in the midst of all the holiday shenanigans.
While the idea of the holidays is exciting, the reality is this: it can be quite overwhelming. Juggling a booked and busy schedule and then piling on added activities during the holidays can quickly take the magic out of the season and replace it with stress. What starts out as Happy Holidays becomes surviving the Holidaze. And who has time for that?
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How can you take care of yourself while preparing for the holidays?
Let’s face it, the holidays don’t stop for stressful life events. Ready or not, here they come. Illnesses, injuries, or other life events don’t get put on hold just because the holidays are around the corner. You are still expected to carry on with your regular responsibilities and work your holiday magic, too!
Forbes.com says the holidays are a time when we are being pulled in so many different directions. It’s also at this time that we tend to neglect taking care of ourselves.
But, it is possible for you to have a wonderful holiday season and still practice self care. You can do small things to ensure that you don’t reach the point of burnout and overwhelm just to meet other people’s expectations of what the holidays should be. You don’t have to recreate a Hallmark Channel version of the holidays in order for them to be magical.
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Here are some ways that you can take care of yourself during the holiday season:
- Make time for yourself. In the midst of planning all of the dinners and holiday parties, make sure to put time for yourself on the list. Whether you go for a massage or simply sleep in late one morning, be intentional about scheduling some “me time” in your holiday schedule.
- Spend quality time with the people you truly love. Don’t get so wrapped up in accepting every holiday party invitation that you neglect spending time with the people who truly love and care about. Check your schedule wisely and plan adequate time for your loved ones.
- Volunteer in the community. There’s something very therapeutic about volunteering in the community. It can be so fulfilling to know that you are doing something to help an organization or a family right in your own neighborhood. Solicit the help of your family and start a new holiday tradition.
- Exercise. I know you’re busy with that mile-long to-do list this holiday season, but make sure to get in some exercise. There are so many benefits of exercising regularly and you definitely want to ensure you reap those benefits during the holiday season.
- Rest. The regular everyday to-do list and the holiday to-do list are not the same! It seems like the holiday to-do list has way more things on it than the regular list, right? In an effort to get everything done, make sure to get some rest. As much as we try, we’re not Superwoman. Don’t try to be during the holiday.
- Ask for help! Speaking of Superwoman…ask for help if you need it! I don’t know who started this “mom does it all” business. But, it’s not okay. If you need help, ask!
- Don’t overdo it. It’s so tempting to want the holidays to look the way they make it look on television and in magazines, but don’t overextend yourself if you don’t have the means, the time, or the energy. Stay in your lane and do what you can do. I promise the memories are way more about the people than the things.
Why is self care important during the holidays?
Self care is important during the holidays. After the turkey, pumpkin pie, and mistletoe is all tucked away, you still have to carry on with your day-to-day responsibilities. It’s important that you don’t let the holidays drain all of your energy, emotions, and finances dry.
Ultimately, your holidays may not look like anyone else’s, and that’s okay. What makes your holidays happy may not look anything like what someone else is experiencing. The key is to focus on your unique needs and do things that also allow you to take care of yourself. Do what makes the most sense for your family and your circumstances.
Letting go of guilt, expectations, and overwhelming yourself helps put the happy into your holidays and alleviates some of the stress often associated with the holiday season. Knowing what you can manage alongside everything else going on is what helps you mean it when you say Happy Holidays to others.
This holiday season, and every one after, should be a reflection of your life in the moment. If you’re experiencing abundance with your finances, time, and energy, let the season reflect it. You may be going through a difficult time. If so, allow yourself to modify your holiday to accommodate the needs you and your family have at the time. Either way, your holiday season can be happy and memorable.
Don’t struggle during the holidays. Pause, reflect, and focus on the true meaning of the holidays. The holiday season should be a time of self-care, not stress. Keeping the focus on these things allows for the holidays to remain manageable rather than overwhelming.
Best Journals for Self-Care
Journaling is one of my favorite self-care activities. It’s also a great way help you begin to move towards forgiveness. The key to making journaling a habit is to find a journal that you love. One of the first things I look for in a journal is one that is good quality, like this gratitude journal from Therabox.
I also love this guided self love journal that is filled with prompts and practices to help improve self-esteem and self-confidence.