How to Prioritize Your Self Care During the Holidays
The holidays are here and as much as joy & love surrounds us this time of year, let be honest, the hustle & bustle can quickly become overwhelming and many of the emotions that come up may not always be easy to deal with. So I’ve put together some reminders to help you make the most of this holiday season all while prioritizing your self care and mental health!
01. Practice gratitude
Truthfully, this should be a part of our daily routine, but often gets lost in the everyday hustle. Practicing gratitude is SO important! In fact, can you name something you’re thankful for right this moment? It can be as simple as the air you breathe, the roof above your head, or maybe that delicious holiday Starbucks you had this afternoon! No matter how big or small, a moment of gratitude can remind us just how abundant our life truly is, even amongst the holiday chaos.
02. Walk away from unpleasant family or friends
Protect your peace this holiday season (and all year round!) by walking away from those unpleasant conversations whether it be gossip, politics, or anything else that may make you uncomfortable. Thee is no shame in trying to find a polite way to step away! This can be as simple as excusing yourself to chat with someone else or offering to refill refreshments!
Stuck at the dinner table? Change topics by bringing up a recent achievement of someone sitting around the table or offer to collect dirty plates if dinner is winding down.
This one is sometimes easier said than done. If you know you might be in this situation, prep some “escape plans” to use if needed. Above all else, remember to be kind, keep your cool & choose happiness.
03. Make healthy choices
Okay, I know this one can be uncomfortable & there’s a lot to unpack, but let’s chat.
Get enough rest! Running yourself down to see family and friends for the holidays can result in exhaustion & irritability. Also, over eating/drinking can often keep you up at night & prevent you from getting a good night of sleep. Recharge your batteries so you can show up as your best self!
Stay active! Be cautious of one day of lounging becoming MANY days of no physical activity. Keep moving & stretching so you can keep up with your family and friends when it’s time to celebrate!
Be cautious of emotional eating and drinking! Be aware of emotional bingeing because “it’s the holidays” OR maybe because being around certain family is triggering. Be conscious when filling up your plate (& cup!) to make sure you’re giving your body the fuel and care it deserves!
Don’t get me wrong, we work hard all year long and definitely deserve to let loose sometimes so the big take away here is balance so that you can continue feeling your best and truly having the best holiday yet without all of the regret that often times follows.
04. Create a shopping list (& check it twice!) to avoid any anxiety about missing or forgetting gifts
Is it just me or is everyone’s inbox filled with 4272864 emails this time of year telling you about sales or trying to get you to buy something?! My inbox (& text messages!) have been overwhelming with notifications these past few weeks and this can quickly distract us from the true meaning of the season. So’s here my tip… Make an organized list of who you need to shop for and write down any ideas under their name! This way, you’re not racing around last minute for something you forgot and you can shop easily when you’re ready.
Bonus tip: On my list, I also add in the parties we’re going to so I remember to pick up a bottle of wine or a baked treat to bring!
05. Make room for grief if you’re missing someone
If you’ve ever lost someone, this needs no explanation. The holidays can cue a flood of memories, as I know they do for me, and while they often times are happy memories, it can hurt to be reminded of those who are no longer with us. Keep those happy memories alive by sharing those stories with others. And don’t forget to be kind to yourself as grief is not linear.
“But what is grief, if not love persevering?”
06. Make time for yourself by keeping your priorities top of mind and not getting caught up in only serving others
“Put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others.”
The holidays are certainly a time to give, but that doesn’t have to mean your peace too. We spend a lot of time during the holidays shopping for presents, preparing our home, rushing to parties, traveling to visit family, entertaining guests… and the list goes on and on!! Do you ever feel frustrated with the holidays or find yourself starting the new year exhausted & rundown? Not this year!
Here’s your reminder (& permission!) to prioritize taking care of YOU first! Hold on to whatever little things bring you peace & joy so that you can show up as your best self to serve and spend time with family & friends this holiday season.
07. Be present in the moment by laughing and having fun with loved ones
Seems simple enough, right? If you’re like me, chances are, your brain is always 10 steps ahead, trying to organize and plan for what’s coming next which makes “being present” a little difficult. Here’s a little reminder to put away your worries, forget about what’s on your to-do list, let go of tomorrow and truly live in the moment. Hold your loved ones tight and enjoy this season together! Oh, and laugh… A LOT!
Save this to your phone for easy access and a reminder all season long! >>>
Speaking of the holidays, are you attending any upcoming parties and looking for a easy and simple yet festive makeup look to wear? Let me help! I’ve put together some fun Holiday Makeup Looks and NYE Makeup Looks to help you show up beautiful, trendy and confident to all of your holiday parties!!
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