Let’s face it, the holiday season always offers a contradictory mix of magic, wonder, and overwhelmingness, and a pair of slipper socks can’t take the finishing touches off your to-do list.
Finding time to relax and recalibrate before packing away the decorations may seem impossible, but the more you treat yourself, the more you can breathe in happiness and breathe out burnout.
We’ve created (and checked twice) a list of 12 ways to practice self-care during the holiday countdown. From small indulgences to healing experiences, daily self-care, no matter how small, will keep you present and balanced and help you cope with festivity overload.
- Holiday celebrations, baking, and gift-giving are opportunities to gather with friends and family and create meaningful memories. But all of this in such a short time can lead to us getting close to E energetically.
A session with a Reiki practitioner or using a sound healing app can help release emotional blockages, reduce stress, and refill your tank.
International Association of Reiki Experts, Soaak
- Some people feel a sense of accomplishment and checking off tasks in a planner, but for others it can be anxiety-inducing, especially if the day doesn’t fit into neat little boxes.
Instead, mindfulness and manifestation journals focus on the bigger picture and are designed to help you think about your goals and overall well-being. Light a candle, grab your favorite pen and make your dreams come true.
The Growth Guided Journal, the Human Being Journal
- There’s shopping and then there’s Christmas shopping. When you’re overwhelmed by the lines, parking, and sheer exhaustion of finding the right gifts, the last thing you want to do is try on clothes in a fitting room.
How about having a stylist dress you during the holidays? If that sounds like a dream but is out of your price range, we have good news. Online personal styling services like Stitch Fix take the guesswork out of holiday clothing, are fee-free and require no subscription.
- We know that sufficient, good sleep is essential for our physical, mental and emotional well-being. Since the holidays never seem to slow down, a restful and deep sleep will ensure you feel refreshed the next day, no matter how many errands you have on your calendar.
Sleeping in complete darkness, disconnecting from digital devices, and feeling comfortable in bed will help you achieve your sleep goals.
Accuratex cooling sheets, Blissy sleep mask, Reacher Sunrise alarm clock
Read: 8 Best Healthy Sleep Habits >>
- Do your toiletry bags need a makeover? When you’re traveling on vacation, packing personal care products of all shapes and sizes will be a breeze with a new, elegantly designed makeup case.
Are you staying on site? A new makeup bag for trips to the office or the gym feels like a fresh start, without broken zippers and exploded eyeshadow stains.
Lola Makeup Bag, Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag, The Foldie Toiletry Bag
- Ho, ho, oh! It’s the time to give yourself some love. Vibrators and other sex toys—alone or with a partner—can be great tools for achieving orgasm, which can lower your heart rate and send a rush of dopamine and serotonin (feel-good chemicals) throughout the body. So an orgasm is a pretty effective stress reliever. If nothing else, do it for science.
- If you love fancy coffee but don’t always have time to grab your favorite hot beverage from local roasters in the morning, stop by and pick up a few bags of your favorite blend. Most coffee shops that sell beans are happy to grind them for the type of coffee equipment you use.
Latte lover? Grab a few festive creamers or a frother for a barista-style coffee that you can make in no time and enjoy anytime. Combine it with a short visual meditation for a completely relaxing coffee break.
Bodum Pour Over Coffee Machine, Instant Pot 4-in-1 Milk Frother, Milk Frothing Thermometer
Read: Hot Warm Drinks Statistics: Can Hot Drinks Help Healthy Aging? >>
- Will the holiday hustle and bustle really get big? Take a break and visit a museum. This calming excursion requires you to turn off your cell phone, walk at a snail’s pace, and focus on creativity, innovation, history, and culture in contrast to the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
Take your time, sketch or write in a notepad, or just sit for a while and enjoy the view. And if you want, you can buy a few small gifts in the gift shop and cross an item off your to-do list.
- There are few things as satisfying as taking off your bra and putting on cozy clothes at the end of the day. But no matter how comfortable they may be, letting go of clothes with holes and tears is a legitimate act of self-care. Replace them with a spa-ready robe and other comfortable basics for the win.
Kyrgies wool slippers, organic Turkish waffle bathrobe, UNIQLO wide joggers
- Everyone is preoccupied with holiday events and planning, but spending time with close friends is an elixir for stress and a reminder of what the holidays are all about: joy.
Meet up for coffee, hop on a Zoom call with a distant best friend, or invite your crew over for a girls’ night: DoorDash, fuzzy socks, and spa masks are mandatory.
- A recent study found that spending nights outside has significant mental health benefits. Bundle up and find a quiet place where you can be soothed by the endless beauty of the night sky. If you’re in an urban area, head to your roof with a blanket and pillow, as well as a mini telescopic attachment that fits your smartphone.
Celestron NexYZ, monocular telescope for smartphone, night sky app
- When you’re done with your “Dear Santa” letter, write yourself a love letter. It may sound cheesy, but it’s important to express gratitude for yourself. All you need is a quiet space, a notepad or journal, and a writing instrument to reflect on your own self-worth. Remember, the holidays would be nothing if it weren’t for you.
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