The holiday season is a busy time for everyone. Even if you’re not the one hosting celebrations, you’re still expected to find gifts, bring food, socialize with distant relatives, and bring holiday cheer into every home.
All this hustle and bustle can be stressful. While you probably enjoy being around family during the holiday season, you may still breathe a sigh of relief when you return to your normal routine.
This is a sentiment echoed by Ellen Braaten, Ph.D., an HMS associate professor of psychology at Massachusetts General Hospital, who says “the holidays are filled with both joy and stress,” and that breaking from our normal routine can be particularly difficult during the holiday season.
However, you can make the whole process that much easier by practicing regular self-care between making dinners and opening presents. Just a little alone time can protect your mental health and ensure that you bring your best self to family events.
Take Breaks
The holiday season is a wonderful time to come together with family and friends to catch up and celebrate however you see fit. However, all that “togetherness” can be a little overwhelming if you like being independent. Finding creative ways to take breaks can help you practice self-care and give you the energy boost you need.
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, consider running a few errands alone. Make the excuse that you’re picking up gifts, and take yourself down to your favorite farmer’s market stalls or bookshops. Even a small trip can do wonders for your mental health and overall well-being.
If you can’t run out on errands, consider a mini “timeout” at home. Taking a breather is a great way to reduce stress and depression during the holiday season. Take a walk at night for the opportunity to do some stargazing, or consider retiring to your room a little early and reading your book while listening to soothing music.
Spas and Stress
Impromptu breaks can help you manage your stress and reduce the symptoms of depression. However, if you want to take care of yourself this holiday season, you should schedule some intentional self-care between the festivities.
Before the holiday season arrives, consider booking a restful retreat for yourself. If you’re visiting family, make the excuse that you’ve “always wanted to try” a particular masseuse or spa treatment. Try to book it at a time when you won’t be missing out on festivities, but give yourself permission to side-step events like buying the turkey or delivering cards.
Practicing self-care can assist you in stress management and help you look forward to the holiday season. Getting a massage, taking an exfoliating bath, or getting your nails done can help you be a better caregiver in the future and help you feel more emotionally stable.
Holistic Health
The holiday season is notorious for its negative health connotations. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a big dinner as a family, stuffing yourself with chocolates, turkey, and alcohol may not be the best approach for healthy and happy living.
Instead of splurging on each day of the holiday season, try to stick to your normal self-care and health routine when possible. If you celebrate Christmas, there’s nothing wrong with getting out for a quick run before the festivities begin. Likewise, if you’re a gym lover, you can always choose to skip the New Years’ drinks if you plan to lift in the morning.
If the thought of the holiday season has already got your heart racing, consider pre-downloading some self-help apps that can help you take quick mental breaks. Services like those offered by Mindful and Calm offer guided meditations and may be just what you need to keep your mood positive and your energy high.
Get Help
Self-care is an important part of day-to-day life. However, sometimes self-care can prevent you from getting the help you need.
As Dr. Paul Appelbaum, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, explains in an interview on when self-care does more harm than good: “There’s a risk that people come to believe that they can handle these things on their own,” this may mean that you forgo getting professional help in favor of bubble baths and green tea. Appelbaum explains that, although we all “face stresses in everyday life,” when “[conditions like] anxiety gets to the point where it can be disabling, that’s a transition point.”
Receiving the help you need this holiday season is pivotal if you want to start the new year on the right foot. Reach out to your primary care provider before you start wrapping presents or packing your bags, and explain that you are looking for help to overcome the challenges you face.
Conclusion
Practicing self-care during the holiday season can help you feel at your best while you partake in the festivities. A quick dip in the tub or a 10-minute meditation will give you the energy you need to feel at your best throughout the season. If you start to feel that your stressors or anxiety are unmanageable, reach out to professional therapists who can help you overcome the challenges you face.
