Self Care During the Holidays.

Tis the season of shopping for the perfect gifts, baking Christmas cookies, decorating the house, and getting together with friends and families for Holiday Cheer. For some of us, total overwhelm is the result of all the busyness. Self-care usually falls by the wayside during the holidays. I came across a great article by Tessa Brennan today with 5 tips for self care during the holidays, and I want to share some helpful hints with you.

Five self-care tips:

1. Take a walk
2. Journal
3. Nourish your Body
4. Prioritize Rest and Sleep
5. Go for Quiet Time

Taking a walk is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to take care of yourself during the hectic holiday season. Walking in nature feeds my soul and is at the top of my list. I totally unplug and try to be present in the moment, inhaling and apprectiating the many gifts of the natural world. If you’re not a walker, go to the gym, take a yoga class, get out of the house and get your body moving.

When I wake up each morning, I write my Morning Pages, 3 pages of stream of consciousness writing. I’ve been doing them for almost 20 years. This daily practice helps me to get grounded, centered and ready to greet my day with joy and enthusiasm. You can simply write down 3 questions each day and answer them. What am I grateful for today? How can I be of service today? What intention will I set for my day? Keep it simple!

Nourish your body by eating healthy meals and drinking plenty of water. Tis the season to overindulge in sweets and eating healthy, regular meals will balance out all the sugar.

Get enough rest and sleep. Sleep is one of the most important things we can do to ensure our self-care. A 20 or 30 minute nap in the afternoon can be so restorative and will boost your energy and mood.

Making sure to take quiet time to recharge your batteries is essential during the holidays. You’ll emerge from your time out feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

What about you? What’s your favorite self-care tool? Let me know, I’d love to hear from you.

Happy Holidays to one and all!