12 days of holiday self-care
The month of December is typically a hectic one. It’s juggling the usual daily hustle of work and family life with the added stress of the holidays thrown in the mix.
It can easily turn into overcommitting to holiday get togethers, staying up way too late to finish up those Christmas cards, spending too much time online looking for that toy that’s sold out everywhere, or waking up at 4am in a panic to move ‘Sparkle’ the elf before the kids woke up (yes, that was me this morning!).
Needless to say, often our own self-care can take a backseat in the holiday chaos.
Here, I give you some simple ideas to keep your sanity over the holidays with minimal effort, so you can enjoy it and stress less!
Get Outside and Move
Even 15 minutes a day of outdoor activity can have a major impact on your mood and energy levels. With the days shorter, this means less sunlight and less vitamin D. So bundle up, go for a walk with the dog, make a snowman with your kids, go shopping at an outdoor market, or simply take a moment on your lunch break to walk and get an errand done.
2. Learn to say NO!
Keeping healthy boundaries is always a work in progress for me. It’s especially a struggle for the people pleaser types (yes, that’s me!). Over the holidays we often feel obligated to see everyone and pack in everything over a short period of time. But….you don’t have to. You can say NO.
Over-committing to join that extra event or do that extra task often leads to not actually enjoying it and maybe not really being present when you are there.
So pick the things that you know you love, that bring you joy. Say no to the things that don’t serve you. Then maybe, you can to say YES to something that you value and your favourite people get more of the ‘present’ you.
3. Prioritize
Take care of you first, so you have more energy, more patience and more clarity to accomplish all the other things that need to get done. You’ll probably even do them more efficiently.
What you do in the morning often sets the tone for the whole day. Take some time for yourself early in the day. Maybe it’s enjoying a coffee by yourself, taking a few moments to write in a journal, going for a walk, or making a to-do list for the day. These habit can put you in a good mindset to start off the day.
4) Breath
We breath all day long, but most of the time we aren’t paying attention to our breath, just subconsciously going through the motions.
Take a moment, especially if you’re feeling anxious, and tune into your breathing. Are you holding tension anywhere? Can you use your breath to let it go? Common spots for this are the jaw, neck muscles and lower back.
5) Find Time for Fun
Carve out a little time for an activity that brings you joy. It will brighten your spirits and lift your mood. This can mean different things for different people. It could mean getting crafty, making cookies, going skating, playing hockey, socializing with friends etc. Whatever fun means for you…make it happen!
6) Rest
Adequate rest is so important for overall health, and especially for optimal immune function and stress management. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is one simple way to achieve a more restful sleep, boost immune function and manage holiday stress levels.
Try to keep a regular bed and wake time as best as possible. This helps to regulate our natural circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle). Of course, over the holidays, there may be a late night or two, then get yourself back on track!
7) Write
Take a moment and put pen to paper. There’s something magical that happens in the writing process that allows us to connect with our thoughts on a more meaningful level. It can be a great way to organize your thoughts, talk out a problem or simply vent. A great way to begin is simply writing down one thing you are grateful for each day.
8) Stay Hydrated
On average, our bodies are made of 60% water. Staying well hydrated will increase energy levels, improve focus and concentration, promote weight loss, flush out toxins (hello holiday wine!) and maintain regularity.
Current recommendations are to drink half of your body weight (in pounds) in ounces of water (ie. if you weigh 150 lbs, you want to be drinking 75 oz of water in a day). Carry a water bottle with you during the day to make this really accessible. You can even set a reminder on your phone at regular intervals to take a moment to have some water.
9) Reflect
What have the holidays looked like in past years? Are there traditions you continue each year? Are there new ones you’d like to add in the mix, or some you’d like to retire? What events bring you joy and light you up? Which ones could you do without?
10) Plan Ahead
At the start of each week, take some time to plan out the week ahead. Check what is on the calendar, so you are mentally prepared for upcoming events. Evaluate what tasks you need to do, which ones can wait and which ones you can delegate to others. Don’t forget to schedule time for yourself! Put your self-care in as an appointment to yourself, whether it’s a workout, time to meditate or simply some alone time.
11) Stay Nourished
Keep your energy up by staying well nourished. Eat regular meals high in protein, healthy fats and colourful vegetables to keep you feeling full and satisfied. This will keep your blood sugar levels stable making you less likely to splurge on sugary treats. This also keeps energy high and your mood more stable, so you can tackle stressful situations with a level head.
The holidays can be a time of indulgence. Allow yourself to enjoy a traditional family dish, or a special dessert, just reign it back in afterwards.
12) Cozy up with a loved one
The holidays are all about who you spend it with. Spend some quality time with your favourite people or furry friends. Be present, connect and make new memories.
Happy holidays!
Do you have any other thoughts on self-care during this busy time of year?
Reach out if you’d like any personalized suggestions!
Lindsay Pleasance, PT, FCAMPT, CIDN
Owner, Pleasance Physiotherapy
