Everyone talks about how magical the holidays are. How the snow and the lights are so beautiful and how great it is to be with family and friends, which, don’t get me wrong, it is. But for me, it can also be the most stressful time of the year. Especially when you are single and you know your aunt is going to ask you AGAIN why you still aren’t seeing anyone.
Self care is essential to warding off the holiday blues. That is why we put together this list of the 5 top holiday self care tips to help get you through this holiday season.
It is common to want things to turn out a specific way, especially during the holidays, a time you want to bring joy to those around you. Remember that things almost NEVER go fully as planned, so the sooner you can be okay with things not being perfect, the better.
Doing the holidays alone is stressful enough as it is, remind yourself that it is okay if the only thing you do for the holidays is get through them.
When things get hectic, it is easy to let basic self care needs like exercise and a regular sleep schedule go. These are the things that help us to stay grounded, so it is important to recognize when you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed so that you can make a conscious effort to maintain the routines that make you healthy both mentally and physically.
Also: Don’t force it. Just because gua-sha and yoga are someone else’s self care must-do’s, it doesn’t mean that those work for you. Pay attention to the activities that make you feel relaxed and recentered and focus on making time for them.
Redefining your expectations is important. Whether you tell yourself that the holidays are going to suck this year or you are more festive, knowing what to expect can help mediate those feelings of disappointment.
Try adjusting your focus this holiday season to reflect and reset with self-care and activities that make you feel happy. You could try making new recipes or throw it back to some childhood board games and crafts. The holiday season can mean whatever you want, so it’s your job to define that and do what’s best for your happiness.
It can be hard during the holidays to keep sadness and loneliness at bay, especially when you want that special someone to spend them with. Allow yourself to feel these feelings instead of pushing them down.
Bottling emotions up is never a good thing – for you OR those around you. Know that it is okay to have more emotions than “merry and bright” during the holiday season, and know that you are not alone in experiencing negative emotions during the holidays.
Boundaries are essential for our mental well-being. During the holidays, it can be helpful to monitor yourself and how you are following your boundaries. Whether it is saying no to a few parties this season or leaving your family party early to cuddle up with a good book and hot cocoa.
If you can’t respect your own boundaries, you open the door to allow others to also disregard your boundaries. Boundaries allow us the space to grow in our relationships, so be mindful of yours this holiday season.
