5 Ways to Take Care of Yourself During the Holidays
Self care always takes a backseat during the holidays. And holidays during a pandemic? Yikes.
The month between Thanksgiving (for Americans) and Christmas always passes in a blur. We are all longing to spend time with our families to celebrate the holidays, which inevitably places more pressure on our shoulders to have the “perfect” holiday season.
However you celebrate this year, celebrate responsibly. Follow the rules, be safe, take precautions, and hopefully we can all have a vaccine party. :P (But seriously, let’s be safe guys.)
For the next month (and even beyond), make sure you take care of yourself. We’re in a pandemic, and it also happens to be cold and flu season. Make your health a priority. That goes for mental, physical, and emotional health.
Here are my top 5 ways to do a little self-care during the holidays:
Cozy up. The days are shorter, and where I live the sun sets between 4 and 4:30pm. It’s tough to continue on with your day when it looks like you should be going to sleep, so I like to change into something cozy after work. I put on fuzzy socks, curl up under a blanket, and get nice and warm with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. Do you have a favorite sweatshirt or pair of slippers? Trust me, reading a book or watching a movie while wearing something warm and cozy will make you feel better.
Indulge. Let’s face it. A lot of the holidays revolve around food and elaborate meals which bring up issues for those with body image issues or are on diets, etc. You don’t have to go overboard, but allow yourself to eat something you truly enjoy. If you’re lucky enough to be with loved ones, enjoy the act of gathering together at the table. If you love pie, savor every bite of your piece. Let the stress of cooking (and maybe of eating) melt away and give yourself permission to relax. You don’t have to do something to deserve a helping of dessert. So eat the cookie and enjoy it.
Turn off notifications. This is going to be a time filled with Zoom calls and group texts - and we are so lucky to have that available to us, especially if you can’t be with your loved ones this year. BUT, too much screen time can be stressful and, let’s be honest, tiring. Find a balance between talking to your family and friends and taking a break to recharge. Take a social media break, or give yourself an afternoon with no notifications. If you’re worried you’re going to miss something important, let your loved ones know you’ll be out of reach for a bit. You don’t have to go off the grid, but take the time recharge your batteries.
Keep up with traditions. Growing up, my family had lots of holiday traditions. We can’t celebrate together this year, but that doesn’t mean the traditions have to stop. Our traditions will just look a little different. For example, my brother and I always made and decorated Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve. I never turn down sugar, so I’ll definitely be doing some baking some year. Or maybe your family always played Charades. Grab your roommates and play a game! Keeping up with some of your favorite traditions will help bring your family closer to you for the holidays, and will still make it a special occasion.
Sleep. The ultimate form of self care is sleeping. Go to bed early, keep your phone out of your bedroom, do some gentle yoga beforehand, whatever helps you get the best night’s sleep. The holidays are stressful, the pandemic is stressful, and it’s more important than ever to take care of yourself. Wash your sheets more often, treat yourself to some new pajamas, or take an afternoon nap. Don’t forget to make yourself a priority.