Are you spending more time trying to make sure you are taking care of everyone else, that you have forgotten to take care of yourself?
Between buying gifts, hosting parties, trying not to break your healthy habits (or the bank), and attending family gatherings, we end up running into the new year EXHAUSTED! Holidays and the end of the year can be the most stressful time of the year. That’s why it’s super important to make time for self-care and self-love. I want to help you and your child feel your best this holiday season, so I am sharing 10 self-care tips to reduce stress and help you get the most comfort and joy out of your holidays and year end.
Let It Out. The holidays can bring up a lot of emotions, baggage, and discomfort. Maybe you’re stressed about money. Maybe you and/or your child are missing a loved one. Maybe you are dreading spending time with difficult family members. The worst thing you can do is keep everything in.
Make Healthy Choices (Most of the Time). It’s ok to make small allowances and treat yourself. As a rule of thumb, try to make healthy choices the majority of the time. And remember, too much sugar, salt, fat, etc. can impact your motivation, mood and energy—great reasons to indulge in moderation.
Carve Out Time for Self-Care. Self-care during the holidays is VERY important. When you are crazy busy is when you need self-care most. Even ten minutes can positively impact your mental health, and it’s enough time to get outside for a breath of fresh air, a quick meditation, fit in a quick workout, or chat with a loved one to help you reset.
Meditate. Mindfulness practice is a fantastic tool for helping you stay focused on the present and self-aware. There are tons of apps out there that offer short, guided meditations on a range of subjects to help you and your child center yourself and keep calm through the holiday hustle and bustle.
Recite Affirmations. Affirmations are another great way to center yourself, and align with your intention for how you want to feel and show up for yourself and others during the holiday season.
Be Active. Fitting in some movement can help you relieve stress and anxiety, boost energy, work off those yummy holiday treats, and just feel better all around. So try to fit in physical activity where you can. It doesn’t have to be super-intense or take a ton of time. Even five-minute walks around the block can help increase your overall stamina.
Say No. It’s easy to stretch ourselves too thin over the holidays by saying yes to all the things. This season, say yes to the things that are most important to you, while being kind to yourself, guarding your time, and politely decline anything that drains you or feels stressful.
Get Enough Sleep. Adequate sleep is critical for us to feel our best in mind, body, and spirit and help keep our immune system strong. As parents, one simple, but often overlooked way we can help our children, is to encourage them to have good sleep habits too. When we are rested, we cope better with all the stressors that life throws at us—we show up with better judgment and make better decisions.
Be Intentional. Ask yourself what’s most important to you during the holidays. What do you want to do? Who do you want to spend time with? How do you want to feel? Being clear on your priorities will help you stay focused on what matters most so you can have the most meaningful holiday experience.
Ask for Support. If you’ve got too much on your plate or you’re feeling overwhelmed, the best thing you can do is speak up and ask for help. People want to help, so reach out and be clear about what kind of support you need most. Model for your children, the strength it takes to ask for help.