12 Holiday Self Care Tips

Do the holidays stress you out? Are you always getting sick this time of year? Are you taking care of yourself the in the same manner than you do the other 11 months out of the year?  If any of these questions resonated with you, I invite you to keep reading and discover my 12 best holiday self care tips to keep your body, mind and spirit happy and healthy this holiday season! 

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1. Take regular breaks when with family or at work. You don’t get a prize for constantly showing up. You get drained. Fast. Bathroom breaks, walking breaks, errands, “appointments”,  etc. Make sure you’re taking the time to fill back up.
2. Watch your favorite holiday movie, or listen to your favorite holiday album/song. If you don’t enjoy the holiday season, put on your favorite movie / show / song / album. Use headphones with music if you’re going into a store and not into the constant holiday music.
3. Be present. The holiday season is notorious for feeling rushed. Slow it down and take time to notice what’s going on around you. 
4. Say “no” to situations that don’t bring you joy. Don’t feel obligated to say “yes” to every invite you receive. This goes for invites from friends and family. Just because you're related to them by blood, doesn't give them the permission or the right to exert control over you. If the situation is stressful or anxiety-inducing, give it a second thought before agreeing this year.  
5. Make sure you’re not abandoning your regular self care routine; movement, water, rest, etc. is even more important when we’re under pressure. 
6. Create new holiday traditions! Do the things you want to do! Memories don’t make themselves! Great things don’t come from comfort zones. If you’ve experienced a tough year, and don’t want to celebrate like you normally do, don’t. Try something new and different.
7. Release expectations of others. People only know how to act as they’ve been taught or experienced. We are mirrors, and holidays can bring out the worst in people. Remember what people say/do is a reflection on where they’re at, not you. Be the parental figure you need. 
8. Don’t let diet culture impact your eating and drinking choices this season. Instead listen to your body and make choices on how your body responds. 
9. Give back where you can! Showing gratitude is one of the ways to boost your mood and keep bringing more things to be grateful for into your life! Some popular holiday ideas are: volunteering at a food bank or soup kitchen, donating money or goods, adopting a family, etc. Do this for yourself, without feeling the need to post on social media for approval. 
10. Don’t get caught up in the holiday comparison game getting jealous of trips, gifts, perfect family photos you see posted on social media. We don’t know what other hardships and what their lives really look like behind closed doors.
11. Don’t get overstimulated. Check your exposure to sound (music), light (holiday lights), smells (food, candles, etc.), movement (toys). These can be draining to our sensory system and can be difficult for the body to process if overwhelmed.
12. Don’t try to force yourself to feel differently than you are. If you’re sad, it’s okay to be sad. Don’t beat yourself up over your expectations of how you should be feeling. Each year is different, and that’s okay. It’s not okay to put additional pressure on yourself.

What are you doing to make sure that you stay happy and healthy this holiday season? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below! 

Love Always,
Arielle Sterling

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