Holiday Self Care
As you may already assume, these aren’t going to be your typical ‘face masks and bubble baths’ recommendations.
While those are relaxing, we’re going to be looking at ways to self care in terms of your mental health, physical health, and sanity.
My hope is to give you the simplest, stress-free Christmas, whether you are spending it alone or with others.
11 Tips for Holiday Self Care
Holiday Self-Care Tip #1: If you’ve got places to be and people to see, Keep a schedule.
Holidays can seem…messy, right?
One way to alleviate the stress of having SO much to do in such a small time frame is to keep a schedule. You can schedule events you need to attend, goodies you have to bake, or even family time.
Likewise, if you are spending Christmas alone, you may not want to keep a specific schedule, because what are days off for, right? I get it.
Consider scheduling small amounts of time here and there to do things around your house or maybe pick up a new skill, language, or book so you don’t feel like your break was wasted.
Holiday Self-Care Tip #2: Make time for yourself.
Following tip #1, schedule time for yourself.
Being with family and friends on holidays is special, but can also be very draining.
Set aside time to read, meditate, nap, or whatever it is that helps you come down.
On the flip side, you might be spending Christmas alone this year. Still, make time for yourself.
“Obviously I’ll have time for myself, Jess. I literally can only be around myself.”
Okay, yes, I get that. But, there’s a difference between being by yourself and actually making time for yourself.
Make time to practice your hobbies, journal, or anything else that keeps your mental health well, or that is just pure play and fun.
Holiday Self-Care Tip #3: Stay active.
I’ve said it before and imma say it again: exercise, my dude.
Not only does moving around release endorphins (one of our own happy drugs), it also keeps you healthy.
My guy- physical activity has literally been to proven to naturally combat depression.
The chemicals that are released in your brain help regulate your mood, decrease your stress levels, and lower your anxiety.
So don’t skimp on your gains. (Maybe simplify, but don’t cntrl+alt+dlte. That would be like a double whammy. You’d be putting yourself in stressful situations, without the natural stress reliever your body gains from working out.)
Whether it’s walking around the house for steps or getting a family and friend’s football game going, stay active.
*Also, let’s be real. We eat way too much on holidays. At the very least, we can walk around the house a few times or dance while washing dishes.
Holiday Self-Care Tip #4: prioritize gratitude.
It is scientifically proven that asking yourself what you are grateful for directly increases the serotonin and dopamine (happy drugs) in your brain.
When you need a moment to yourself, try grounding in by noticing the scents, colors, textures, and sounds around you.
Close your eyes.
Take a few intentional breaths through (in and out) your nose.
Return home to you.
And ask yourself (as often as needed):
- What and who am I grateful for in this moment?
Gratitude is a game-changer and it’s all around.
Holiday Self-Care Tip #5: remember: you can only control yourself.
So, this one took me a while to learn…and I still struggle. #stubborn #opinionated
But here’s the overall idea I’m trying to grasp:
You can literally only control what you do, how you respond, and what you put up with.
Meaning, you can’t control when your cousin wants everyone to wear a mask and your uncle decides to go on a raging binger Christmas day.
But, you don’t have to put up with anything you don’t want to.
You don’t have to go anywhere you don’t want to.
You don’t have to agree to anything you don’t want to.
This is your permission.
It’s not your job to control, understand, or support how they are.
However, it is your job to control how, what, and why you are everything you are.
If you’re feeling pushed boundaries, I highly recommend leaving the room, space, or event.
But if it’s just some differences of opinions…maybe kill ’em with kindness, my love.
(Pro tip for this one: keep a few blunts rolled. *winks*)
Holiday Self-Care Tip #6: Repeat affirmations.
If you’ve been with me for a while, I know that we’ve talked about affirmations before.
So, how often are you saying them?
If you’re not very familiar with this term, check out this book with some more information and “I am” examples.
But, overall, you use affirmations to, get this, affirm your life.
Affirm what you want out of the holidays and out of each place you have to show up at.
Every morning, every evening, and every second you need the reminder in between.
Related article: 13 Tips to Fix a Distorted Self Image
Holiday Self-Care Tip #7: Feel your emotions rather than hide them.
Did you know that bars thrive during the holidays because of how many people choose to drinking over dealing with their problems?
And don’t get me wrong- this is great for business. But, horrible for your health. And, I’ll let you take a quick guess on which I care more about.
(It’s you, by the way. I care more about you.)
[Disclaimer: If you struggle with this, this may feel like a bit of tough love. Please know I am here WITH you, not against you. Reach out. Get help. Your life is invaluable and we need you here, healthy.)
First of all, alcohol is a depressant. And, I know that getting drunk may seem a lot better than spending Christmas with your family or alone.
But, I promise there are millions of other options that are healthier and more productive than drinking to cope and forget.
If this seems like the only answer for you, send me a message or email. Let’s find a better solution.
Holiday Self-Care Tip #8: Be mindful by setting intentions.
Similar to setting affirmations, you should set intentions and be mindful of the experiences you desire.
Your intentions don’t have to be drastic.
It could just be to drink two glasses of wine as opposed to seven.
Or, maybe it’s something more like calling your parents to wish them a merry Christmas since you aren’t able to make it home.
Set an intention (or a few) to help you have something to focus on.
Sidenote- If you’re wanting to work more on learning yourself and how to mold your life into what you want, you may like our new eBook The Ultimate Mindset Shift.
Holiday Self-Care Tip #9: Don’t have solidified expectations.
If you don’t expect anything, you won’t be disappointed by anything…right?
I mean, this is honestly how I look at life sometimes, lol.
Nobody owes you anything.
So, expect nothing.
If you get nothing, you’re fine.
And, if you do get something good, it means so much more.
*Please note that I’m not necessarily talking about your expecations with getting physical things.
What I mean is that you shouldn’t expect everyone around you to be in a good mood.
Don’t expect a drama-free holiday.
Don’t expect conversation.
Go in with intentions, but without expectations.
Holiday Self-Care Tip #10: Be Present.
Whether it’s on a phone call, FaceTime, or in person-
Be present.
We live in a .5sec attention span world with every ache to swipe our little apps all hours of the day due to FOMO, boredom, or avoidance.
But–not to be…scary–you never know when life is going to change.
You never know when the last time you’ll see someone is.
You never know if it’s “the last Christmas”.
You never know what you’re missing out on if you aren’t present, either.
Don’t let your mind stay scattered.
Don’t let it wander or stress you out.
Trek back up to the grounding action in holiday self-care tip #4, and stay present with your people.
Focus on what’s going on around you. Use your senses:
- Smell the cookies getting pulled out of the oven.
- Watch people tear off the wrapping paper and throw tissue balls.
- Listen to the stories that will get told.
- Taste the hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Whether it’s with friends or family, be present when you’re around them.
In 20 years, these are the things you’ll want to remember.
Make all the memories.
Holiday Self-Care Tip #11: Go technology-less.
Ah, our final (and best) tip:
Go without technology.
We spend/waste so much time mindlessly scrolling on our phones.
Hey- #AppleUsers, Have you ever gotten the screen time report and just said a quiet “oo, yikes” to yourself? Because same.
Don’t do this during the holidays.
Tying it back together with tip #10, be present with who you’re around (even if that is through a video call).
We would rather scroll through a feed, watching other people celebrate Christmas, than be in the moment and celebrate with those actually around us.
Social media will still be there December 26th, I promise.
Enjoy the holidays and enjoy your self-care.
At the end of the day, you have to put on your oxygen mask first, in order to help other people.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Ya know?
Take care of yourself first.
I hope this list of holiday self-care tips helps you out.
And, I hope you have a wonderful, bright, and merry Christmas!
FAQ:
Q: Aren’t bubble baths and face masks still self-care though?
Yes! The only reason I don’t offer those ideas is that they don’t work by themselves. Meaning they can help you relax, yes. But, if you haven’t worked through the problem that was causing the stress (which is what we’re focused on minimizing here), you’ll be right back where you started after you wash your face and dry off.
Q: What if I’m working and can’t turn my electronics off?
You don’t have to have it off all day. Just find a little bit of time that you can step away and be truly present.
Q: How do I regularly practice self-care, not during the holidays?
All of the tips previously listed can be practiced whenever, for whatever reason. Self-care is pretty interchangeable. Check out this post for more on self-care.
Xox,
Jess