‘Tis the season to be jolly, but the holidays can also be the most exhausting time of the year. With the long list of errands and activities—from setting up the tree and gift shopping to cooking and attending family events—the holiday has its own unique brand of stress and anxiety.
With all the holiday clamour, many of us take our needs for granted, putting them on the back burner. When you are the busiest, you need self-care the most. Mental health therapists in Windsor cannot stress the importance of taking care of your mental and emotional well-being.
The holidays can pull us in so many different directions. Taking care of yourself is crucial for your general well-being and enables you to take better care of the people around you.
Here are some simple yet beneficial self-care tips for the holiday season:
1. Know Your Limits
While holiday to-do lists can be fun or exhilarating, they can eventually become exhausting and mentally draining. Knowing when to say no or enough is a simple gesture of self-care.
Set boundaries on how much time you can spend running errands and attending events during the holiday season. Instead of going on an all-day excursion, why not plan for an afternoon trip? Why not limit your trip to only 1 or 2 stores when running errands? Also, be sure to take breaks in-between errands. You can also invite a friend or 2 to make your trip a fun activity.
2. Set Your Expectations
Most people have high expectations of the holidays. This joyous and wonderful time of the year is for family and friends. However, it is equally essential to have realistic hopes and expectations. Pushing yourself too hard or having no expectations often lead to disappointment.
3. Carve out Time for Self-Care
The importance of self-care during the holiday cannot be overstated. With all the holiday errands and events, it seems impossible to make time for self-care. Be sure to schedule some “ME” time this holiday season. Perhaps you can make a quick trip for a spectra carbon laser peel in a Toronto beauty spa. Pampering yourself can have a significant impact on your mental health. Going outside for fresh air, a quick meditation, or a workout is a great way to reset.
4. Meditate
If stress starts to overwhelm you, take time to sit down and follow your breathing to take you back into the moment and connect. If you ever feel stressed out, follow these simple meditation steps:
- Sit or lie down comfortably.
- Gently close your eyes.
- Do not try to control your breathing; just let inhale and exhale naturally
- Focus on your breathing. Pay attention to the natural flow of air in and out of your lungs.
- Do this for 5 minutes.
5. Be Extra Giving To Yourself
The holiday season is a great time to appreciate your loved ones, but do not forget to relish in yourself. Amid the busy holiday shopping and gift giving, buy something you love or book a waxing session in an Oakville spa, especially if you are planning to attend a holiday event.
6. Recite Affirmations
Affirmations are an effective way to centre and align yourself with what you want to feel and how you want to present yourself to others during the holiday season. For instance, repeatedly reciting the affirmation “I breathe in calmness and positivity” can help you reset. You can also choose other positive affirmations that align with your desired state.
7. Ask for Support
If you think you have too much on your plate or are starting to feel overwhelmed, the best you can do is ask for help. The holiday season is also a time of getting into the spirit of reaching out and lending a helping hand.