The holiday season is upon us!
For many of us, that means time spent with family, friends, and loved ones. It also means lots of food, gifts, and merriment. But let's be honest—the holiday season can also be a bit overwhelming. If you're struggling to keep your sanity this holiday season, here are five self-care tips to help you make it through.
1. Set realistic expectations.
The holiday season is a time for joy and happiness, but it's also a time when we can put a lot of pressure on ourselves to create the perfect memories. If your expectations for the holidays are unrealistic, you're likely to end up feeling disappointed and stressed out. To avoid this, take a step back and set realistic expectations for yourself and your loved ones. Rather than aiming for perfection, focus on enjoying the moments and making lasting memories.
2. Delegate.
It's easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit and say yes to every party invitation and request for help. It is easy to over-commit. But if you over commit yourself, you're likely to end up feeling tired, overwhelmed, and stressed out. To avoid this trap, think carefully before committing to anything during the holidays. Only say yes if you genuinely have the time and energy to do it—and be sure to schedule some down time for yourself as well! And the things you don't have to do yourself-DELEGATE. It is a great skill to use!
3. Take care of your health.
The holidays are a busy time of year, which can make it tempting to skip meals or forego exercise in favor of crossing things off your to-do list. But if you don't take care of your health, you're likely to end up feeling run down and sick during the most wonderful time of the year. To avoid this, make sure to eat healthy meals and get some exercise—even if it's just a short walk around the block. And watch the sugar intake... that is truly the culprit of making us feel run down and unwell in these winter months. Be sure to keep drinking all the water and teas, soups and take your Vitamin D and Vitamin C, at the very least!
4. Set aside time for your relationships.
The holiday season is a great opportunity to catch up with friends and family members who you don't get to see very often. But if you try to cram too many social events into your schedule, you're likely not going to enjoy any of them. To make the most of your time with loved ones, set aside some quality time for each relationship—and don't be afraid to say no if you're feeling overwhelmed. (Again- watching for the tendency to over-commit and delegate the things others can do!)
5. Give yourself a break!
This one is important! The holiday season is hectic enough without adding extra pressure on yourself. So cut yourself some slack—you don't have to do everything perfectly in order to enjoy the season! It is ok to skip certain traditions or do things differently- especially if there is stress or frustration involved (for anyone!) We want to cherish our holidays and make them memorable- positive memories! As a mom and often the host, it can be difficult to change things up but often others do not notice like we do. Give yourself a little grace and know that your presence is bigger!
In Summary, Remember that the holidays are supposed to be a fun and festive time of year—but they can also be pretty stressful. If you're struggling to keep your sanity this holiday season, try following these five self-care tips.
By taking care of yourself both mentally and physically, you'll be able to better relax and enjoy this special time of year with your loved ones stress-free!
Your Goal: Make positive memories and enjoy the season.
The holidays are a time for family, friends, and… being completely and utterly exhausted. If you’re anything like me, your to-do list quadruples in size the minute Halloween ends. There are presents to buy, parties to attend, and cookies to bake. It’s enough to make even the most well-rested person feel run down. That’s why it’s so important to take a break from all the holiday madness and give yourself some much-needed self-care.
What is self-care?
Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Though it’s often associated with things like getting a massage or going for a yoga class, it can really be anything that brings you joy and makes you feel relaxed. Here are a few of my favorite self-care activities that help me get through the holiday season:
• Breath work: Taking deep breaths is a simple yet effective way to relieve stress and tension. I like to do some form of breath work every day, whether it’s taking 10 deep breaths before I go to bed or doing a guided meditation in the morning.
• Exercise: Exercise is a great way to reduce stress, boost your mood, and get some much-needed energy. Even if you only have 20 minutes to spare, a quick workout can make all the difference. I like to do HIIT workouts when I’m short on time because they’re high-intensity and don’t require any equipment.
• Connect with nature: Studies have shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress levels, improve moods, and increase energy levels. During the winter months, I like to take walks in the park or go for a hike in the woods. Even if it’s cold outside, bundling up and getting some fresh air can do wonders for your mental state.
• Get enough sleep: Sleep is so important for our overall health and well-being, yet it’s often one of the first things we sacrifice when we’re busy. During the holidays, I make it a priority to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night so I can function at my best during the day.
• Eat healthy: Eating nutritious meals helps improve our moods, reduces stress levels, and gives us more energy. During the holiday season, I make an effort to cook meals at home using healthy ingredients. This way, I know exactly what I’m eating and I don’t have to worry about overeating or eating too much sugar.
The holiday season is a wonderful time of year but it can also be quite stressful. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and give yourself some time for self-care. Whether it's taking a yoga class or going for a walk in nature, incorporating some form of self-care into your daily routine will help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated so you can enjoy this special time of year!
