5 SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL TIPS FOR SELF CARE DURING THE HOLIDAYS
For many, the holiday season can be stressful. Financial strain, complex family obligations, unwanted triggers from the past and nutritional overindulgences (a.k.a. overeating and drinking) marks for a not so merry December.
Here are some “free” tips to help you navigate a busy December.
1. Plan-So You Are in Charge of Your Feelings
- Watch some favourite movies (like action flicks, animated faves) for some “down time.”
- Volunteer some time or $ to an organization that needs help. And/or do a random act of kindness for a friend, colleague or neighbour in need. Pay for the person behind you in the drive through.
- Write a list in a journal of everything you are grateful for this year. This by far is one of the best ways to lift your spirits.
2. Use Your Benefits
If you are one of the lucky ones and have health care benefits through your employer, time is running out to use those benefits. Acupuncture will help with how your body processes stress and ease it, Massage will work out those frustrated kinks, Chiropractic will release those pent up shoulders, and Naturopathy will help your digestive system process all of that food and uncomfortable emotion stored in your stomach.
3. Eat well
If you find yourself having to navigate the endless amounts of sugar, sugar and sugar that is everywhere this season, do not deprive yourself. Have a bite, be grateful for the tastes and then leave it there. Eating well means enjoying what you have and keeping mindful.
4. Set Aside Intentional Down-time
It’s ok to take a break. Some quiet time, moments of peace are found when we take them. Make sure to take lots of deep breaths, inhaling in gratitude and exhaling out the frustrations of the moment.
5. Spend Your Time Intentionally, not Through Obligation
Connection is the number one thing we all crave this season, make those contacts in ways that are meaningful for you, not what you think you should do.
This is not a race, instead an opportunity to connect with folks in meaningful ways.
A personal card, a long phone call, or a one-on-one visit means so much more than an obligatory visit.
Some simple tips will help you navigate the holidays in ways where you are in control of your heart, make sure to surround it with tenderness, patience and love.
If you find yourself stressed out during this season, make sure to get some “self-care” time. Our therapists are here to help you navigate this season with much more ease.
MAKE SURE TO USE YOUR BENEFITS THIS MONTH BEFORE THEY RUN OUT