The holidays, theoretically, should be about relaxation. In practice, unfortunately, the holiday season is a ton of work. Cooking up feasts, hunting for gifts, haplessly trying to make schedules fit, and even finding some “me-time” feels impossible. The last bit is especially crucial because even if the rest of the tasks are accomplished, it’s for naught if you feel like a zombie.
Self-care must never be sacrificed for the simple reason that a healthy you means a better everything else. While there’s no guarantee of a perfect day every day, it’s better to try. Life stings more than we’d like, but with a can-do attitude and plenty of healthy distractions, self-care gets easier.
What Do You Even Do During the Holidays?
Think about it. During the holiday season, break down the things you do. A lot of people assume holidays mean vacations, but so much of the time before and after the holidays involves a lot of work. Preparation and clean-up, then on the day proper, you’re stressing over things being perfect.
Write a list of everything you do in a week, big or small. Associate a mood with it. It doesn’t have to be anything complex; a word will suffice. From there, compare that list to everything you do in the week leading up to the holidays. If you notice a distinct overlap, you likely aren’t properly getting into the holiday relaxation mood. It’s time to tackle those self-care issues head-on.
Self-Care for the Holidays
You can take care of yourself during the holidays in lots of ways. These tips and tricks should get you started on that me-day you’ve always wanted, practically and immediately.
Just Stop
Legitimately. Whatever you’re doing, provided it isn’t something wildly important, stop what you’re doing. Take a breather. Don’t open the TV, browse your phone, go to the gym, or do anything strenuous. Simply stop and take a few minutes to recollect and meditate. Eat something soothing like cannabis-infused gummies or have a sip of your favorite tea.
Don’t think about anything in particular. If the mind wanders to stressful topics, just let it pass. If you must move, walk somewhere quiet and take stock of what you want to do for yourself. Not anybody else, but for you. That will provide the basis for your self-care journey.
Connect with Loved Ones
The people who matter in your life know you more than anybody. If you’re starting to feel those emotions in flux, maybe it’s time to reach out and ask for help. Maybe it isn’t that deep, and you just want a conversation with someone besides your anxiety. Either way, building relationships matters more than you may think, especially during the holidays.
Sharing a laugh over an old joke or discussing your day can help you feel seen and heard. Plus, if your loved one has something to share, it may give you some perspective and an opportunity to help someone through the holidays.
Stay Away from Social Media
Doomscrolling is one of the worst time sinks a person can do. The endless barrage of social media can have a massive impact on your mental health. You do not need the world’s problems and triumphs constantly poured into your brain every waking moment. Delete the app for a while, and just do anything else.
If you need social media for work, then set that boundary. Only do things related to your tasks, and finish them as early as possible. The world isn’t as awful as the internet loves to exclaim. Even if there is a genuine problem, reading the uninformed takes of someone you don’t know certainly won’t do anything.
Clean Up Clutter
Cleaning is a calming exercise once you enter the “flow state.” Sure, it can get dirty and sweaty, but it’s an activity that actively rewards you the more you do it. After all, the more you clean, the less mess becomes visible. You may even uncover some old things you thought you’d long since lost.
A cleaner space can also clear your mind. In the back of your brain, clutter can make you feel like a mess. That clean desk or spotless floor puts you into a space to think about things more clearly.
Decorate In a Way That Feels “You”
Decorating for the holidays is fun, especially when you don’t conform to whatever society dictates you should do. If you’re inviting people over to your home, that means your vibes are in charge. Don’t worry about being unorthodox. Let the decorations speak for themselves; If it makes you happy, that’s all that matters.
Add little touches that make you smile, like artwork that wows you or a favorite color that puts you in a great mood. When your space feels authentically “you,” it becomes a retreat from the outside world.
Final Thoughts
Everyone is different, and almost every method of self-care is valid. Don’t strictly follow someone else’s advice on what makes you happy. It’s most certainly worth listening to, but when it comes to favorite things, that’s all you. Carve out the time to do your favorite hobbies, and spend a day doing just that.
Don’t feel guilty about prioritizing joy; it’s just as important as checking off the items on your to-do list.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Edrian Blasquino a college instructor turned wordsmith, with a passion for both teaching and writing. With years of experience in higher education, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, crafting engaging and informative content on a variety of topics. Now, he’s excited to explore his creative side and pursue content writing as a hobby.Edrian is a college instructor turned wordsmith, with a passion for both teaching and writing. With years of experience in higher education, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, crafting engaging and informative content on a variety of topics. Now, he’s excited to explore his creative side and pursue content writing as a hobby.
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