During the holiday season you most likely will find yourself with a lot of time on your hands. Although routines are important, they can create stress and boredom, especially during a time when time is ample. By taking some of that time to do some productive self-care you have the potential for seeing great improvement in your overall mental and physical health. This holiday season is a perfect time to take a step back from the business of life, and take time for you. This may seem impossible, especially if you have a family, but it’s still important to think about your own mental and physical health during this holiday season!
There are different types of self-care depending on what you need. One aspect of self-care is getting your body moving. Here are some ideas:
- Simple stretches to activate your body
- Ride your bike around your neighborhood
- Look up a dance video and learn the moves
- Go on a walk around a local park (great for families!)
- Do an at home workout video
- Sign up for a gym membership
Doing something productive doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get moving (although that is a good idea!), it could also look something like this:
- Take a break from social media (This could even include rewarding yourself at the end of the day with social media after having a productive day)
- Unfollow/unfriend negative social media accounts
- Turn off electronics
- Put away all technology an hour before bed (This will help you settle down and have a better nights sleep)
In addition, self-care can look like starting a new hobby that you’ve always wanted to try. This can be things like:
- Learning how to paint (This can include a paint by number)
- Writing a short story (Or a book if you are feeling ambitious!)
- Start journaling
- Read a series you’ve always wanted to read
- Color in an adult coloring book
- Learn to cook/bake
The last form of self-care that I will mention that can be done during the holiday season is social. This includes:
- Invite friends to lunch (could be going out or showing off your new found cooking skills!)
- Call a family member you haven’t talked to for a while
- Volunteer for a cause you support
- Send someone a letter
- Do something nice for someone you know or don’t know
All of the things mentioned above are great ways to spend your time a little more productively during the holiday season. It allows you to take time for you, and will help to improve your overall health. It doesn’t have to be a big change, all that matters is you taking time to do something you enjoy and taking a break from the stressful things around you. I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday season!
Happy self-care!