Self-care is important every day of the year, but it’s especially important to remember to take care of yourself as we find ourselves in the midst of this holiday season full of parties, cocktails, baked goods and treats at every turn. It can be easy to forget self-care as we run around worrying about everyone else and focusing on the complete calendar take over that this time of year brings. Not to mention navigating (or attempting to evade) the political talk that seems to creep its way around every table.
But, it’s more important than ever to remember to slow down, take a breath and take care of YOU. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, balancing those cookies and cocktails with a wholesome juice, warming stew, a ginger shot or salad and making sure that you take time to unplug and relax.
Once the holidays are over, the new year immediately creeps up on us turning the focus to what we can celebrate and learn from 2017 and what our hopes, dreams, and most importantly action plans, are for 2018.
Consider this your permission slip to set yourself up for success in the new year but starting it out on a rejuvenated foot instead of feeling like a haggard, shell of yourself attempting to recover from the “most wonderful time of the year”. You have permission to skip that 12th party and stay home with a good book or a face mask and a warm bath or to attend and sip on a cranberry elixir instead of another glass of wine. To say yes the that first cookie and no to the second. Do turn off your phone and binge watch Netflix for an evening. Do whatever you need to rejuvenate you!
I’m doing my best to take a page out of my own book preferring mock-tails to cocktails (check out my Pinterest board for some inspo!) and cramming only must-do chores into one day on a weekend so I can have the other ALL to myself with the self-proclaimed permission to do whatever I want to and NOT feel the pressure to accomplish something.
How are you planning to get your self-care in? Leave a note in the comments and let me know!
My self-care program:
Monthly massage, facial, pedicure and/or hair appointments, alternating so as to not get so expensive to maintain.
Weekly church and/or bible study for spiritual maintenance.
Daily meditation (praying for loved ones and releasing pent-up anxiety and stress) and stretching and/or exercise, especially a long walk. My mother had a little quote taped inside her kitchen cupboard door: “a long walk cures a hot head and cold feet”.
I, like you, enjoy mocktails and stews, unplug to unwind, and escaping into a good movie or book. In the New Year I also intend to use cash more and the “card” less, hopefully staying mindful about where the money goes and enjoying less stress along the way!
Good plan Kate!