By Sangeetha Shreekar
The festive season can be overwhelming for few. Running errands to taking care of others and their needs will be adding to the stress. Scheduling a ‘Me’ time during the Merry times is very important. In the midst of all of this, self care may sound like a silly concept, but it truly is an effective way to reduce stress, improve well-being, and help you find some joy in these challenging situations.
We bring you a few tips to ensure self-care is a priority this season for you and your loved ones:
- Know and respect your limits: It is important you learn to say no during the festive season. The obligation to do everything and be everywhere needs to be curbed for self health. Setting boundaries helps in planning your commitments better. Space out the social engagements so you do manage to get some down time for recovery and rest.
- Set aside gratitude time. Reflect on the year that has passed and focus on the positive moments. Being grateful and practicing gratitude helps as stress buster and elevates your mood during the tough times.
- Decorate for comfort. It is okay to be a minimalist during the festive season. Choose and put-up decorations that resonates with you and brings cheers. You could do away with traditional festive colours if it is not working for you. Add a comfort element like a blanket, snuggle pillow within reach. Get fragrances to elevate the mood or the ones that helps in calming.
- Turn it off. Go gadget less fore few hours or schedule a day with a strict no gadgets rule. Pick up an actual book and turn back time. Take a walk without the need to take pictures or answering calls. Plan a board game night with hot cocoa and let others join you for no gadget hours.
- Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness or activities to calm body and soul is a must. If you are struggling on where to begin, you can check out our earlier blog on practicing spirituality without religion here.
- Make a budget and stick to it! The toughest part of planning holidays is going overboard with the budget. Make a list, add a budget, and ensure you get everything within the planned budget. The holiday debt will not help the post-holiday blues.
- Stay hydrated and say yes to vitamins. The festive binge is real, be it in terms of food or alcohol. Water boosts energy and works miracles during the festive season. The winter also demands body gets vitamins as the body works overtime while you take on the stress.
- Affirmations. are another great way to centre yourself, and align with your intention for how you want to feel and show up for yourself and others during the holiday season. Try reciting and/or writing a positive affirmation over and over when you need a reset. You could go with ‘I am in control of my day’ or ‘I welcome the feeling of calm’ or you could come up with one that resonates with your goals.
So, we hope you find the tips useful and enjoy the holidays. It is important we take care of ourselves before we leap to take care of others. May this holiday be your best one!