The holiday season is upon us and while the sounds of cheerful Christmas music and the glistening lights make it seem like the “most wonderful time of the year,” it can also be one of the most stressful and overwhelming times of the year. This year can be especially difficult for people struggling with addiction and mental illness. We tend to put our well-being on hold during the holiday season until the New Year. But in reality, we should be making time to take extra care of ourselves now!
With the holidays looking different this year, make sure to take care of your needs first. Here are 10 self-care tips to ensure you make yourself a priority this holiday season.
Be true to yourself
This time of year, it’s easy to get carried away with endless holiday plans and expectations, but it’s just as critical to schedule downtime, too. If you aren’t excited about saying YES to something, say NO. Or, create boundaries around how much time and energy you’ll put into your holiday to-dos. Know what you truly need and what the season is about rather than following the herd.
Schedule time for yourself
The holidays can be a chaotic time with more social obligations that we can get burned out easily (especially for us introverts). Add in changes to events going virtual this year and it’s easy to get overwhelmed and prioritize. Set aside time in your calendar that’s just for you. You can fill your “me time” with whatever nourishes you. Do some relaxation breaths, read a book, take a bubble bath, watch Netflix, or write in your journal. Do literally anything that makes you happy.
Make movement a priority
Don’t stop caring for your body because it’s the holidays. Don’t wait for the New Year to make yourself a priority. You should take care of your physical self all year round. If you’re already stressed, eliminating exercise will have a more negative impact on your well-being. Schedule time for movement each day, even if you only have 10 minutes. Maybe try a YouTube Zumba dance or just dance to your favourite Christmas carols!
Tune into your emotions
This time of year, you may be feeling positive, negative, or a combination of both emotions. Call “time-outs” for yourself and check-in on your feelings. Taking time to tune into how you’re feeling around the holidays can help you understand what you may need more or less of. Write down your feelings in a journal to keep track of when and what triggered these emotions.
Stay present
It’s not uncommon to get so caught up in the planning of the holidays that we completely forget to enjoy ourselves. While you worry about whether the holidays are fulfilling everyone’s expectations, you miss the sweet moments that can make the holidays magical. Find the moments where you feel good and cherish them. Embrace those traditions you love or create new ones!
Adjust your expectations
The holidays can be especially difficult due to the expectations that it has to fit a picture-perfect illusion. We are pressured to spend the holidays like what we see in the movies or on social media but in reality, there is no right way to celebrate this season. Throw your expectations out the window and make this season about you and what you need.
Remember to practice gratitude
Asking yourself what you’re grateful for helps increase dopamine and serotonin, creating more positive pathways in your brain. During the time of year that’s so focused on getting things, gratitude helps make you realize what you already have. Gratitude Journaling is a great way to put this into action.
Don’t buy presents
Instead of stressing out over buying the BEST present, give your loved ones an experience instead. Think about how you can give a meaningful present to those without making the chaotic trip to the mall. We have some ideas for ways you can give back and get involved with Avalon:
- Secret Santa Notes
- Give Hope for the Holidays
- Make a lasting donation
Tap into your inner child
When we get older the holidays lose a lot of its whimsy. Instead, we feel the pressure of making the holiday special for everyone but ourselves. Put down your to-do list and carve out some time to be a kid again. Break out the Christmas karaoke, eat your favorite treats, do whatever feels magical to you this time of year.
Let go of the past and welcome the year to come
With 2020 coming to an end, you may find yourself reflecting on how crazy this year has been. As you prepare for the new year ahead you might realize that there are obstacles to your mental wellness. 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone and has given us the chance to reevaluate what really matters. This is a great time to let go of anything you’re holding on to and get ready to ring in the New Year with a fresh outlook.
We know the holidays can be a challenging time, if you’re looking for support, we have daily meetings, private Facebook groups, free-counseling, and a variety of free resources available on our website. Come celebrate the holidays with Avalon at one of our many virtual holiday events happening all December long.