Holiday Gratitude or Holiday Stress?
Thanksgiving week brings mixed feelings of gratitude and stress for many. Some are grateful to see family and relax with a feast. Some are anxious to see family and dread conflict. Yet others, as we well know, will be working the holiday with hardly time for a scoop of cranberry sauce.
Between family stress, work stress, and general holiday stress, it’s easy to let self care slip through the cracks. We’re here to remind you that you’re important too! In a season of gratitude, you should be grateful for your own journey. Look how far you’ve come, and look where you’re going. Don’t neglect yourself now.
We get it; it’s a busy time, but there are things you can do to maintain some critical self care.
7 Critical Self Care Tips for the Holidays
Whether you’re starting the hustle and bustle with joy or dreading family encounters, these critical self care tips will help take the edge off your stress and guide you to a smoother holiday celebration.
Know Your Boundaries
You know your triggers, so avoid possible conflicts whenever possible. This doesn’t mean you have to avoid a family gathering, but you’ll need to know your boundaries.
Communicate certain needs to family ahead of time, like when you need to leave or certain topics to avoid. If you have a person or two you trust most, confide in them.
Plan safe areas or escapes if the situation calls for it. Is the place you’re going big enough that you can slip into another room? Is there someone you can hang with you trust? If you’re a kitchen helper, it’s a great way to busy yourself and leave the controversial conversations to (hopefully) the other room.
Know when to say “no” in certain situations and do so calmly as politely. You can agree to disagree, and you can request to not be involved in certain topics of discussion. Be clear and calm. After all, you’re the only one you can control. If you feel uncomfortable, take a moment to excuse yourself.
Don’t Neglect Your Basic Needs
Whether you’re a work-a-holic, often berated by family over a particular topic, or simply an introvert, remember your basic needs.
You need to breathe, so if that means taking small doses of large crowds, plan a short visit. If that means slipping out for a moment to decompress before joining everyone again, do that. Don’t let yourself get wound up. Breathe.
Sleep well the night (or day) before. It’s no good coming more tired than you need to. Sleep improves your mood, so show up as rested as you can. Wear a favorite shirt or shoes or something that works for the day that you like yourself in.
Focus on food in a positive way. Have any favorites? Enjoy what you can as well as you can. And don’t forget to bring containers for leftovers!
Find Your Joy
Be sure to find joy however you need it. Know who your people are and make arrangements to spend some time with them. Maybe they’re at your family gathering, or maybe you need to schedule a separate time with them—do that. If it’s not a person but something you do that helps you find joy, plan time for that.
Does running clear your head? Plan a run around the holiday either before or after. Do you love building things? Schedule time to be in your workshop or wherever to do what makes you happy.
Don’t fill your holiday with stress but be sure to find time for what makes you happy in the moment or over the holiday season. You’re making memories for you too. Be grateful for those things in your life.
Be Grateful for You
Wherever you fall in the mix, we hope you take time to appreciate you with a little self care in this stressful (yet hopefully joyful) time of year. Everyone has their own battles, but you can only control yourself and work on your own. Be grateful for you and continue working on the you we love.Whether you’re working or feasting on Thanksgiving Day, we’re grateful for you, and we hope you are too. If you need help coming up with a game plan—we know you have it in you—reach out to us now.