The Gift of Self-Care
As an integrative life coach, I must take time during the holiday season and the new year (next blog post) to focus on self-care. It is the most important gift you can give to yourself during the holiday frenzy and gift-giving season.
It is my favorite topic and one that never gets old. It never gets old because our lives are continually changing, in obvious and not-so-obvious ways. The most critical area of self-care shows results in reducing stress and enhancing resilience: physically, mentally, and emotionally.
During the holiday, the changes we’ve had to adapt to have become more intense. To name a few areas that change makes a significant impact are the death of a loved one or pet, divorce, or relationship loss, finances, and relocation. The subtle ways we may not pay as much attention to include: the weather (Seasonal Affective Disorder), road conditions, adapting to your children's holiday visitation schedules, seasonal sickness, and food changes due to the onset of holiday parties and emotional-stress eating.
The fact that we are in the midst of holidays alone is enough to deal with, but the list of changes above compounds the need to tune in to oneself. I hope that you give yourself mini breaks and remember life is not as it was last year, much less last week.
Self-care during the holidays is essential for managing stress, preserving well-being, and fostering a sense of joy and connection amid the season's hustle and bustle. You can navigate the holidays by prioritizing self-care with greater resilience, presence, and fulfillment.
Here’s a holiday self-care checklist to help create balance and focus on gratitude during this time of year:
Maintain Healthy Habits
Amidst the abundance of holiday treats, remember to prioritize your health. Make it a goal to tell yourself you can make healthy food choices, not deprive yourself, and not gain a single pound. Remember to stay hydrated, exercise, and prioritize sleep as much as possible to keep your energy levels up and your immune system strong.
Take Time To
Carve out time for self-care rituals that nourish you. It may be taking a relaxing bath, spending a few more minutes playing or walking your dog, or giving your cat a few more laps. You may choose to linger a little longer out your kitchen window to watch the birds at your feeder. Prioritize activities that help you rejuvenate and feel grounded.
Practice Gratitude
Take time each day to reflect on things you’re grateful for. Cultivating a mindset of gratitude can shift your perspective and improve your feelings, even amid holiday chaos.
Stay Connected
While the holidays can be a busy time, make an effort to stay connected with people you may not see but who are high on your support network. Also, limit your scrolling and social media time. Connecting by phone, video, or in person makes a more meaningful connection.
Take Moments
Take moments throughout your day to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself. If you meditate, stick to it during the holidays. It is easy to fall off the bandwagon. Try a few focused and slower, deeper breaths if you begin to have negative or panicky thoughts.
Set Realistic Expectations
It is easy to get caught up in the pressure of pleasing. Remember to set realistic expectations for yourself and others. Embrace imperfection and focus on building meaningful moments rather than going through conventional motions.
Seek Support
If you are drowning in feelings that are beyond your control, seek support from a trusted friend, family member, or professional.
Remember to listen to your needs and honor what feels nourishing and fulfilling for you. Whether the holidays are happy or not, the essential message is to move through them, taking good care of yourself.
