Self-Care Through the Holidays
As we are about to go full steam ahead into the holiday season, I want to talk about self-care.
This time of year is known as the season of giving. While you embrace this season don’t forget to give to yourself as well.
Don’t forget to give yourself the things you need. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Don’t forget to set boundaries. Don’t forget to check in with yourself.
Those things are important. They are a priority.
Even though this season is about selflessness, that doesn’t mean it should be at the expense of your own well-being. Whether that is physical or emotional. Give yourself the gift of love, care, and joy by allowing your needs to be a priority.
I love the holidays! There is so much good food, quality time spent with family, and fun activities to take part in. But, as I head into this holiday season, I have a lot of sadness, anxiety, and apprehension.
This will be the first holiday season since my Dad’s passing. I know that this will be a season where I will have intense emotions. I know that I will have a limit on what I will be able to handle and enjoy as I move through this time. As a result, I’m making sure that I’m practicing self-care and setting boundaries this holiday season.
I also know for others this might resonate with you. You might not always associate this time of year with joy, giving, and feeling full. The holidays may bring grief for someone that has passed or a relationship lost. The holidays may also bring people around that you don’t necessarily want to be around. It may mean you receive invasive or uncomfortable questions from family members. It could also be that the holidays are just exhausting for you with all of the time you're spending with others and events you’re attending. Whatever it is, know that it’s okay to feel whatever it is you feel during this time of year. And it’s equally okay to put your needs first.
Make self-care a priority throughout this season. There are many different ways to practice self-care, but it’s important that you choose activities that allow you to take care of yourself, recharge, find joy, and fill yourself up. There are a few different self-care categories that you can tap into. Ask yourself where your needs are, and choose something from the following list.
Physical: when your body needs rest, relaxation, or movement
Practice yoga, stretching, exercising, drinking water, eating healthy, getting a good night’s sleep.
Emotional: when you need to lean into your emotions, shift your mind, find positivity
Meditate, journal, positive self-talk, watch a feel good movie, listen to music that makes you feel good, setting boundaries, practicing gratitude.
Spiritual: when you need to feel a deeper meaning or connection with others or the world around you
Meditation, prayer, going to a place of worship, self-reflection, being in nature, volunteering.
Intellectual: when you’d like to nourish your mind or curiosity, you’d like to expand yourself
Read a book, do a puzzle, play a game, listen to a podcast, watch a documentary, learn something new.
Social: you’d like connection, comfort from others
Call a friend or family member, connect with others, spend time with someone you enjoy being around, host a game night, enjoy a meal with others.
Sensory: you’d like to be more present, stimulate your senses
Walk in nature, engage all of your senses in an activity, listen to music, light a candle, drink your favorite drink, do something creative.
You know yourself best, and you know what you need. So make sure that you listen to yourself when you need something during this time of the year. There is no right or wrong way to practice self-care as long as you do what feels good for you.
Happy Self-Caring Y’all! You deserve this gift from yourself!