Self-Care Tips for the Holidays and Beyond Edit
Sisters, we are in the throes of the holidays! Thanksgiving is already fading into memory and Christmas looms large over our days. Not to mention, we are doing ALL.THE.THINGS! With all of the parties, social gatherings, holiday festivities, and traveling to see family, the holidays can be a time when a gal gets overwhelmed and run-down.
BUT! We don’t want that to happen to you. We’ve shared some helpful ideas for keeping your spirits up and your mind and body content – so you can keep kicking booty well past the New Year.
Ask for help. Speak up, Mama! You can’t do it all alone and no one expects you to.
Say no to things that don’t really matter. Set this boundary for yourself and (most importantly) respect it.
Take a moment to pause, reflect, and be still. Whether you find this peace over a cup of coffee in the morning or at night after the kids are in bed, take that moment and sit in your thoughts and feelings.
Observe the holiday wonder around you. Kids constantly remind us of what is really important- laughter and joy, adventure and excitement, and believing in things bigger than ourselves. Let children be your guide to what matters this holiday season.
Indulge mindfully. It can be easy to get caught up in the indulges of the season so, if you can, slow down and eat and drink intuitively. Enjoy the smell, taste, and texture of each and every bite or sip. Allow yourself to get swept away in the deliciousness, and stop before full, or before any shame spiraling events may occur.
Spend consciously. Opt for gifts that prioritize mindfulness over consumerism. Choose to volunteer at a non-profit for an outing instead of meeting at a restaurant. There are lots of ways to be frivolous during the holiday season; be frivolous with love, be frivolous with compliments for others, do not be frivolous with your money.
Move your body every day. When it is holiday season, the sun sets early and it can be freezing cold outside. But! If anything, these are more reasons why getting exercise in every day can be crucial. Go for a walk, hit up a yoga class, or meet your friend at the gym- we guarantee you won’t regret it.
Drink lots of water. Give your body the loving it needs – good old fashioned H20.
Advocate for yourself with your family and friends. When it comes to loved ones, it can be hard to say no or feel like we are letting someone down by not doing what they want of us. However, these wishes may come at the expense of your own well-being. No matter who it is, set and stand up for your own boundaries so that you can be your best on your own terms.
Feel the feels, don’t brush them under the rug. The holidays bring out stress, family dynamics, past experiences, and trauma. When these instances arise, take a moment to recognize how you are feeling and why you are feeling this way. Sit in it for the moment, and let this awareness serve you instead of holding you back.
Just as the old saying goes, you cannot serve others from a dry well. Self-care is vital for keeping yourself happy and healthy, and for keeping yourself balanced with all of the other people (both big and small!) who are counting on you. Keep rocking it out, beautiful friend.
If you are feeling like you could use a touch more support than these helpful tips, we invite you to see our Vlog about Self-Care for Success, or contact Brooke Jean Counseling and Coaching. We look forward to hearing how you practice self-care!
