Christmas is everyone’s favorite time of the year. You meet your family and friends and enthusiastically celebrate the holiday season. However, Christmas prep can also get exhausting and overwhelming, with many wishing for the holiday to get over and the kids to get back to school so that they can indulge in some self-care.
However, why wait till the end of the holiday season to enjoy some time for yourself? We have some self-care tips you can practice this Christmas to avoid the hustle and bustle of it all for a few hours.
1. Find some “Me” time
Don’t worry about people calling you selfish for taking some time for yourself. Your mental health is more important than what others say about you. Being burnt out during Christmas will only lead to you not enjoying your precious time with the entire family. So, take some time out for yourself during the busiest time of the year.
It will help you relax physically and mentally. If you don’t take time for yourself, you might feel frustrated, tired, and resentful towards others for no reason. So, either wake up early in the morning to spend some quiet time with yourself or take some time out during the day when you can step away from the family for a little bit.
2. Set your boundaries
Do not hesitate to say no to things you don’t feel like doing. Sometimes prioritizing yourself and your needs is crucial during the holiday season, especially if you know the activity might drain you completely. Be polite and decline the activity without feeling sorry. Christmas holidays are full of fun activities and gatherings, so saying no to one activity won’t end the world.
3. Write a journal/diary
If you feel overwhelmed with the neverending to-do list or have suppressed feelings or thoughts about someone weighing you down, maintain a diary or journal. It is the most therapeutic activity you can do. Even if you don’t write in it throughout the year, maintain it during busy times like Christmas.
It will help you process your feelings and might even help you know your trigger points. For instance, do you feel stressed around certain people or while doing specific tasks? Once you observe the pattern, you can tackle your Christmas-induced stress more effectively.
4. Get some fresh air
Staying cooped up in your house amidst all the Christmas preparations will leave you mentally exhausted. So, step out for fresh air whenever possible and make it a part of your self-care routine during Christmas.
Go out to exercise, walk, run, or simply sit in your backyard sipping hot cocoa (or tea/coffee, whatever is your hot beverage of choice). Step out of the house at least once daily for your mental well-being. Getting fresh air will help relieve stress and get you all charged up to tackle new things without feeling bogged down.
5. Have a balanced diet
With all the delicious Christmas treats, it’s hard not to overeat. However, refrain from overindulgence because it will do you no good. Be mindful of what you eat and the quantity as a form of self-care during Christmas.
Start your day with a filling and healthy breakfast since you have to be on your toes to prepare meals, entertain guests, run errands, etc. You need your energy levels boosted to get through the holiday season in one piece. Hence, eat mindfully and eat nutritional meals to stay energized throughout the day. Also, never skip a meal during the holiday season!
6. Plan early
To avoid any last-minute hassle or stress, plan your Christmas holidays months before December. Finalize the menu, send out the invites, pre-prep all the food that you can, get the groceries for the dishes you need to prepare on that day, pick up the gifts, etc., weeks in advance so that you don’t have to bother about these things at the last minute.
The most important thing for all the mamas is to ask for help while preparing for Christmas. You don’t have to do it all. Christmas is for everyone. So, allocate different tasks to everyone to make it easier for you. And when the holiday season is over, book your favorite spa session and relax. You deserve it!
