3 Tips To Keep Up With Your Self-Care During The Holiday Season

The holiday season can be extremely chaotic and stressful in many ways. Not only is it a busy and bustling time of year, but it can also be mentally overwhelming. 

For some, the excitement they feel is worth the hectic schedule, but for others it may not always be a joyous and exciting season. The holiday season can be hard for some - as there may be emotional triggers that come up. No matter your outlook and experience during this season, it’s extremely beneficial to prioritize your wellness. It can be easy to fall out of routine and neglect your self-care. But, your self-care and wellness are more important during this time than ever. 

Let’s talk about some ways to not let the chaos of the holidays take over your self-care routine, so you can keep yourself mentally and emotionally healthy.

Set a routine

You may be in total vacation mode during the holidays, which is perfectly fine and well-deserved. But, if you don’t keep some kind of routine, it can be really hard on your mental health. No matter how small, incorporating some kind of routine during the busy seasons is crucial. 

Try to create a morning and/or evening routine tailored specifically to the holiday season. These routines don’t have to be the same as your usual morning/evening routines. Modify them so they fit your holiday schedule. 

Another way to create a routine is to schedule out 20 minutes each day to do some self-care. You can do anything from meditating, to going on a walk, to journaling. You don’t need a ton of time each day - just something small that you can be consistent with can give you a world of benefits and help you destress during the holidays.

Set and keep boundaries

It’s important to create boundaries, especially when you’re around a lot of different people during the holidays. 

Unfortunately, it’s likely that you don’t have a choice in who you see during holiday gatherings - meaning you may have to encounter someone you may rather avoid or not talk to. That’s why it’s important to learn how to say no, set limits for yourself, and have an “escape plan” so you can easily remove yourself from stressful and unwanted situations. 

It’s also VERY important to be unapologetic about your boundaries. Don’t feel bad if you choose to not speak to certain people, not speak about certain subjects, or avoid certain gatherings all together. Your mental health is more important than allowing people to violate your boundaries just because it’s the holidays.

Practice gratitude

Whether your holidays are spent with loved ones, or you spend them in a different way, it’s important to find a way to practice gratitude. 

Again, different people have different outlooks when it comes to the holidays. If this season is more emotional or difficult, allow yourself to feel ANY feelings that come up. But, no matter whether you feel negative or positive emotions during this time, be sure to carve out time and space to practice gratitude. 

Every morning or evening, make a list of 3-5 things you’re grateful for - no matter how small. It can be as simple as being grateful for warm coffee in the morning, or that you have a warm bed to crawl into. Appreciate the little things while still allowing yourself to feel your no-so-happy feelings.

It’s important to remember that not everyone experiences joy during the holiday season. We shouldn’t expect that to be the norm for everyone. Even if the holidays are generally a happy time for you, that doesn’t mean you won’t feel stress or extra pressure. No matter your experience during the holiday season, it’s important to make time for your self-care to continue to nurture your mental and emotional health. 

Prioritizing self-care during this time can help make the holidays a little more enjoyable and a little less stressful.