Self-Care During The Holidays

The holiday season is upon us, and as exciting as the holidays are, they can weigh down on your well-being. Let’s face it, with last-minute shopping, overindulging in your Grandma’s cookies, the endless family get-togethers and the constant cooking — holiday burnout is real and over time it can leave you resenting the season.

To avoid this, we need to take care of ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally. So often, especially during the holidays, we ignore ourselves and own well-being. We are so focused on the gift of giving or making others happy that we push off what we need for ourselves. Don’t lose sight of your mental and physical health — take care of yourself by following these few simple tips:

Take a Time Out

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the season, take a step back, remove yourself from the hustle and focus in on what you need — easier said than done, but essential. Find the pocket of time between dinners and gifts to reset yourself by catching up on sleep or meditating. In doing this, you give yourself room to be the best version of yourself.

Live in the Moment

To slow down time, you have to live in the moment. It’s easy to become wrapped up in the material items, comparing and planning that you lose sight of being in the moment. By becoming more aware of everything happening around you as well as yourself, you allow yourself to enjoy this invaluable time. Take a moment to be grateful and breathe.

Don’t Compare

Comparing yourself or your life to others is toxic to your mental and emotional state. During the holiday season, it is easier to compare our lives to others since everything is on display. Don’t base the value of yourself or your holiday season on the number of presents, decorations or elaborate dinners. Focus on what makes you feel grateful, and most importantly, who makes you grateful — that’s what the season is all about.

Find Ways to Stay Active

It goes without saying that we all struggle to find time during the holidays for a long workout. Look for ways to stay active that don’t have to take you away from family and friends. Go for a walk. Dance to your favorite holiday jams. Challenge your family to the ultimate snowball fight.

Hold Yourself Accountable for Your Health

By following these steps, you are not only helping your well-being, but also combating sickness. It’s no secret that stress wears down our immune system causing us to feel tired and drained. Hold yourself accountable to be good to yourself — you deserve the best of health after this frenetic season.