We’re coming up on one of the busiest weeks of the year. Some are spending quality time with loved ones. Others are struggling with missing loved ones. Still, others are finding it difficult to connect or feel at ease with their loved ones. It is a beautiful, magical season but that doesn’t mean it isn’t also stressful and anxiety-inducing.
I don’t know about you but as a mom of three juggling business, extended family, holiday parties and my own expectations of the season, I sometimes sneak away to my room to look at my phone for a few minutes. Please tell me I’m not the only one?
While I wish there was a way to avoid the stressful parts of the holidays, there just isn’t. The only thing you’re able to control is yourself and how you react to things. As I’m gearing up for the week ahead and giving myself a pep talk, I wanted to share it with you too!
You are doing the best you can. I know you are! Despite the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you have to take care of yourself. Here are our top five, best self-care holiday tips!
No. 1 Manage your own expectations.
Even as adults we can have unrealistic expectations of what this time of year is going to be. Nostalgia, Instagram, and the spiked Eggnog make you think life is like a Hallmark Christmas movie. I’m not saying this season isn’t wonderful but it won’t be perfect… at least not Hallmark Christmas movie perfect. An ornament might break, you might get your feelings hurt, you might get sad, you might be struggling with mental health issues, you might have all of the above plus some. That’s ok. You are ok. Your crazy, dysfunctional family is ok. Check your own expectations and realize it won’t be perfect but it can still be great! A great tip for managing expectations is to practice staying in the moment. Be grateful for the moment you are in right then and there.
No. 2 Find time to recharge.
Go outside. Take a walk. Take a bath. Be alone. Get quiet. Do whatever you need to do to rest and recharge. It can be hard to carve out any time for yourself during the holidays but make it a priority. Just a few minutes will make a huge difference.
No. 3 Drink water.
Yes, this is the most basic of self-care tips. And yet, can you honestly say that you’re drinking enough water? There’s a reason I include this as my first question when running through the HEART Goals acronym. This is the quickest and easiest way to help myself. Everything is better by adding a little more water. Stay hydrated and your body will thank you after the cookie exchange or that third or fourth glass of wine. Take that aforementioned bath. Play in the snow. More water, in all forms, but mostly by making sure you’re drinking enough water each and every day of the busy season!
No. 4 Remember your boundaries.
Yes, you have to wrap presents and run errands and see your family and take care of your precious children even when they’re hopped up on sugar, but know your limits. Know when you need to say goodnight and when you need to decline a second round of cards or the next drink. Be conscious of what triggers you and what you need to limit your intake of or avoid if at all possible. Say no when you need to say no. It’s a complete sentence and you’re not being selfish or rude if you say no.
No. 5 Do more of what brings you joy!
What’s the opposite of triggering for you? What gives you life? What lights you up? Try to incorporate more life-giving activities, people, places and things this holiday break! We can easily fall into rhythms that are totally focused on others and we forget to put ourselves on the list… don’t forget to do what you need to do to fill up your heart!
If we missed any best self-care holiday tips, share below! And be sure to take good care of yourself. You deserve it!
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