I honestly love this time of year. It’s filled with fun experiences and opportunities to make lasting and wonderful memories. At the same time, this time of year can easily bring extra stress. This means we need to be intentional in reminding ourselves of the importance of slowing down and caring for ourselves. It really is important to make sure you are doing some simple things to care for yourself over the holidays.
So I decided to sit down and make a list of ways to care for yourself over the holidays. I came up with 15 ideas of simple acts of self-care that won’t take a lot of time but will ensure you’ll avoid feeling run down and exhausted during this busy time of year.
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1. Have a Few Minutes of Quiet Time Every Day
Taking care of my soul is the first part of taking care of me. When things get extra busy and stressful, my temptation is to let my quiet time go. When I do this, I find that my day is much more stressful.
If I take time every day to make sure I am meditating on the Word and spending time in prayer, I can move through my day with much more peace and productivity.
To reduce the effects of holiday stress, make sure you spend a few minutes each day on activities that feed your heart, and soul. This doesn’t take much, get up 10 minutes earlier, sit in your car for a few moments before going into the house or simply shut your bedroom door with a do not disturb sign for 10 minutes.
During that time, you can write in a gratitude or prayer journal, or just sit and focus on your dreams.
2. Take a Daily Walk
This is my number one way to reduce the feeling of stress and overwhelm. Getting outside and going for a walk clears your mind, lifts your spirits, and energizes your body.
Don’t worry about having a destination, just get outside and walk around your neighborhood or local park. Let your mind wander and ponder all that is going on and enjoy the relaxation of being outside.
You can walk alone or make it a family affair, the fresh air will be good for everyone!
3. Care For Yourself Over the holidays by Eating Well
I am well known for having a ginormous sweet tooth. Truth be told, the only reason I eat dinner is so that I can have dessert. But this time of year treats are in abundance and it is so easy to overindulge.
In addition to all the extra opportunities for holiday treats, the extra busyness makes running through a drive-thru or pizza delivery extra tempting.
However, not having a well balanced and healthy diet only increases the feeling of being run down and stressed out. Care for yourself over the holidays by making sure that the majority of your meals consist of healthy whole foods.
You will feel so much better and protect your immune system. Then, when you do indulge in your favorite holiday treats you will alleviate most of the guilt knowing that you’ve been eating primarily well-balanced meals.
4. Be Purposeful
The more we have going on, the easier it is to forget that we have choices. We get swept up in the busyness and find ourselves feeling worn out.
However, when we stop for a moment and take the time to be purposeful with the choices we make, it eases that feeling of overwhelm and busyness. Stop and be purposeful about choosing joy, choosing love, choosing gratitude, and choosing rest.
Look for ways to simplify your holiday season. Writing down what your priorities are for the season and don’t be afraid to say no to those things that don’t fit within those priorities.
5. Stick to Your Budget
Everywhere you look, retailers, are trying to get you to spend money and they are very good at their job. If you give in to the temptation to overspend, the moment the holidays are over you will pay for it.
Care for yourself now by sticking to your budget. You’ll eliminate the post-holiday stress that comes from overindulgence.
Before you start your holiday shopping write out a simple budget that includes an amount for gifts, extra food items, and of course fun experiences!
6. Minimize your Decorations
Over the years my collection of Christmas decorations has grown significantly. I don’t know what it is about taking out those boxes of decorations that make you feel like you need to put them all up. The truth is you don’t.
When you keep your decorations at a minimum, you save yourself time and you are able to enjoy the items you do actually put up. Minimalist Christmas decor will make your home feel warm and cozy without feeling cluttered!
Christmas should be a time of celebration and joy. Take care of yourself by giving yourself the opportunity to truly enjoy your most special Christmas decorations and let go of everything that takes away from that.
8. Realize that No is a Complete Sentence
To truly enjoy this time of year, you have to have some downtime. When we fill up every moment with activities the season is gone and we have had little to no time to reflect and appreciate it.
Say no to some things to make room for yourself. You do not need to explain or have a scheduling conflict to say no. A simple no is sufficient.
9. Take a Nap
As a whole, we are a sleep-deprived nation. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we lose even more sleep. Be kind to yourself and take some time to recharge with a quick cat nap. The temptation is to take those free minutes and fill them with activities, instead give yourself permission to just rest.
10. Read
Turn off the tv, shut down the internet, and just sit and read. One of my favorite Christmas traditions is to sit with my kids and take turns reading from a special advent book that tells the Christmas story. We have been reading that advent book for 20 years now and it is still one of our most treasured traditions.
Taking some time to get lost in a wonderful story this time of year is so refreshing and a great way to care for yourself over the holidays.
11. Laugh
Every year we watch Elf and a Christmas Story and they still make me laugh. Laughter is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Be silly with someone you love and laugh until you cry.
12. Practice Gratitude
There are so many benefits to choosing gratitude. We all have something to be thankful for, it may be small, but it is there. Why not create a gratitude journal for the holiday.
Each day write down something that you are thankful for, you can even have everyone in the family share what they are most thankful for and keep it as a memento and bring it out each year.
One year we made a Thanksgiving tree. I ordered these leaf-shaped sticky notes and each evening at dinner time everyone wrote down one thing they were grateful for. We stuck the notes to the dining room wall. It was the perfect reminder of all that we had as we went into the Christmas season!
13. Make Something
Getting lost in a creative project is a wonderful way to just be. Instead of going out into overcrowded stores to purchase overpriced items, that’s probably not needed anyway, why not make a personal gift.
Pinterest is filled with DIY Christmas gift ideas. If crafting is not your thing, how about painting, or pick up an adult coloring book and plan a family coloring night. The sense of accomplishment will instantly lift your spirits.
14. Light a Candle
I have a minor obsession with candles. There is something so soothing about a flickering candle and the flowing scent. Turn on some lovely music that plays softly in the background and just sit and enjoy that feeling of peace and relaxation.
15. Let Go of Expectations
The only person you have control over is you. When we expect others or circumstances to go a certain way and they don’t, we’re at a minimum, disappointed. But when we are purposeful in our choices and let everything else go, we are able to appreciate the moment and the little things.
Letting go of expectations brings a sense of peace and contentment.
Taking the time to care for yourself over the holidays is the best gift you can give to yourself and your family.
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