During holiday months you’re likely to:

• Be more active/social

• Get less sleep

• Spend more money

• Be more stressed

• Eat more

• Go outside less

Recharge

• Say no to things (especially when you know it’s going to drain you)

• Purposefully spend time alone (schedule it!!)

• Make solo goal lists (reading, taking baths, journaling, masturbation, solo dates)

• Make time for social activities with people who build you up and inspire you, instead of scheduling things you dread

Get More Sleep

• Be aware of caffeine intake after a certain point in the afternoon

• Turn stimulus off (especially limit TV and screen usage)

• ASMR – Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response — like auditory/tactile Synesthesia — a way of creating stimulii that triggers a specific response; basically doing things like whispering in a specific tone, listening to soothing mundane sounds that repeat, etc. will lull you to sleep (Check out my favorite video, thanks for the recommendation Sarah Rose!)

Practice Abundance & Be Awareness Of Finances

• Make friends with your bank account

• Don’t feel obligated to buy presents

• Respect your budget (and say no!)

• Measure abundance in your life in more ways than money

• Check out 50 ways to practice abundance

Get on Top of Your Finances

• Create a budget for yourself and keep to it

• Start a savings account to build an emergency fund

• Consider private student loans to ease the stress

• Always try to live below your means

Practice Relaxation & Proactive Stress Reduction Techniques

• Meditate, do a guided imagery, or just come back to your belly breathing every once in a while

• Morning routines (reading, journaling, exercise, meditating, affirmations, rituals)

• Release expectations for family events (also, do you even HAVE to go let alone host??) — I know this is a touchy subject, but if you dread something that gives you a ton of stress and anxiety and need three days to recover from it, consider having an uncomfortable conversation that’s going to lead to a better, less stressful future; also provide options like, “Hey, I know you love me and want me to feel good, and coming to this party isn’t something that ever makes me feel good, but I still want to celebrate with you, so what if you and I did this activity together instead?”

• Try to forgive (think about it as a gift to yourself)

• Be kind, but don’t break your back

• Don’t forget your gratitude practices
• Also don’t forget perspective; lots of the stress comes from family interactions, but many of us don’t even have those family events or members to worry about — if you do have family, be grateful for them while also knowing you create your reality and schedule and can say no to things that don’t serve you, and if you are feeling a lack of family, begin creating your own traditions with chosen family (like kickass friends)

• Check out 50 ways to live in the moment

Eat Well AND Exercise

• Remember that eating and exercising are independent activities

• That said, if you know you’re going to a party and are going to be loading up on junk food and/or alcohol, it’s probably a good idea to load up on super nutritious and natural foods before you do that, just do your body doesn’t go into shock (it’s all about doing what feels good and healthy, and taking care of yourself before hand– like drinking extra water if you know you’re going to drink alcohol later)

• Lots of people are craving exercise this time of year – it doesn’t have to be the gym!

• Try: dance, hula hoop, juggle, sex, laser tag, foam pits, rock climbing indoors, swimming, etc.

Get More (Artificial) Sunlight

• Take Vitamin D Supplements

• Get yourself a happy lamp and let it sit on your desk while you work

• Put going outside for 10 minutes on your Self-Care Basics List
  
• Check out this list of 25 Ways To Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder

15 Ideas For Winter Self-Care

How do you practice self-care during the holidays?

Photos: Maura Housley