The holiday season is a time of magic and fun with family and friends. But it can also be a time of stress as you try to create a memorable holiday for yourself and your loved ones. So to make your holidays less stressful and more magical, it’s important to practice holiday self-care! Remember: The holiday season is only wonderful if you’re feeling good, relaxed, and healthy so you can enjoy your time with your family.
To make your holiday self-care a priority this season, here are 7 tips!
Get shopping done early and do it online.
Nothing makes the holidays more stressful than fighting crowds of people as you go to 4 different stores looking for that one perfect gift your partner’s mom will love. So why not skip the stress and find your gifts online? There’s no crowds, no jammed parking lots, and you can do it all while sipping your favorite holiday beverage.
Need some help with your gift list this year? Check out our 2022 Soy Delicious Holiday Gift Guide.
Use the 3-day rule when hosting guests.
Hosting can be fun, but also exhausting. Yes, having your sister stay with you is great, but having your nephews use all the hot water or your brother-in-law drink all your good coffee, not so much. So if you’re planning on hosting guests this year, use the 3-day rule to help save you stress and your sanity.
Enjoy yourself in moderation.
Between the Christmas cookies, Thanksgiving pies, and all the special foods your family makes once a year, it’s easy to over drink and eat. But that leads to bloating, tiredness, and a hangover.
This year, still enjoy all the holiday food you love – but in moderation. Think 2 Christmas cookies instead of 10. Or keep portions small at holiday events so you can try a bit of everything. Also when drinking, use the 1:1 rule – for every alcoholic beverage you drink, drink a glass of water. Your body will thank you in the morning.
Practice relaxation techniques to manage stress.
If the thought of listening to your aunt tell you a detailed description of her road trip to Michigan or wrapping all the gifts for your family and packing it into the car gets your blood pressure spiking – stop and take a deep breath. That’s the first relaxation technique you need.
Next, try meditating, listening to soothing music, or any of these 6 relaxation techniques to help you reduce your holiday stress and allow you to enjoy the festivities.
Make time for exercise.
And it doesn’t have to be intense exercise. Even a 5-minute walk around the block, using the stairs, or parking further away from the store can help! But if you have more time, then take a long walk, do some yoga, or bust out a Christmas party album and dance. Whatever you can do to get your body moving. Not only will it relieve stress, but it will help your energy and release those feel-good endorphins.
Get some sleep.
Between wrapping all the gifts, decorating your home, making holiday foods, and attending family gatherings, sleep may be low on the list of things you do this holiday season. But it’s so important not to skimp on your sleep!
You need your rest to stay healthy and strong both physically and mentally. Otherwise, you may make none of your holiday parties when you crash from lack of sleep or catch a winter illness.
So know your limits and set boundaries for yourself – and yes, that may mean leaving a holiday party early if needed.
Carve out time to pamper yourself.
You may feel like you have no time for yourself during the holidays, but this is when it’s most important to practice self-care. Even just 10 minutes of self-care a day can make a difference!
How you decide to pamper yourself can look different for everyone. Try reading a book, writing in your journal, sitting in silence, or turning a long shower into a mini spa. How? Light your favorite Soy Delicious Candle, let the scent envelope you as you shower, and then use the melted wax as a special skin moisturizer. Doesn’t that sound just perfect?
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