Ah, the holidays! Whether itโs the happiest time of the year for you or something you simply โsurviveโ every year, the holidays affect your physical and mental health. So looking after yourself during the festivities is important. These self-care tips for the holidays will help you do just that.
With the cold, dark days of Winter and the to-doโs of the holidays, we need to take care of ourselves. There is lots to love about the winter time like being cozy indoors with hot drinks and blankets. But it can also be very depressing especially when you are on your own. After spending so many holidays alone, it’s a time I try not to dread. Read on for some ways to look after yourself whether it’s a happy or sad time of year for you.
1. Take Multi-Vitamins
The wintertime can affect our general health, leaving us feeling ill, tired and just lacking energy. The most important vitamins to take during the winter are vitamins C and D, but I always just take multiple vitamins every morning. I hate taking tablets so I swear by gummy vitamins and take two every morning. I also eat lots of oranges and drink orange juice for additional Vitamin C.
2. Drink Plenty Of Water
Drinking enough water is something that I always struggle with but itโs really important to stay hydrated. It is really important to drink water during the winter months as it helps to keep your skin looking healthy. Make sure that you are drinking between 6-8 cups of water. There are many benefits to staying hydrated. It helps to regulate kidney and liver function, and weight loss too.
3. Take Hot Showers/Baths
One of my favorite things to do when I am feeling rough is take a hot shower. Over the years I have found that taking a hot shower or bath not only makes me feel nice but also helps me to calm down if I am feeling anxious or emotional. Hot steaming showers and baths are also great for relieving the symptoms of cold and flu.
4. Get Outside
Getting outside and staying active is so important for your mental health. I am not a sporty person so winter sports are not my thing but I do enjoy going for walks. I know it is cold outside, and especially when the weather is miserable (hello raincouver) it can be hard to leave the coziness of your home but going outside for a walk or a run has so many benefits. I recently did the couch to 5k challenge with a friend. Although it was tough I felt healthier, and fitter, lost some weight, and felt more confident as a result. My top tip is to plan rewards for yourself like a yummy hot chocolate or a movie for when you get home.
5. Watch A Movie
I have always enjoyed watching movies, and itโs always been one of the ways that I manage my emotional and mental health. Itโs just a fun way to relax and escape from reality for a while. There are so many places to watch films with Netflix, Amazon Prime, Crave, Apple TV, and Disney+ amongst others.
Snuggle up on the couch with blankets, hot drinks, and snacks, and enjoy some of your favorite holiday movies. Wondering what to watch? Here are some great Christmas movies to binge-watch
6. Eat Healthy Comfort Food
Winter is the time for delicious hot comfort foods like soups, stews, casseroles, curries, and roast dinners. The holidays are a great time to experiment with different recipes and leftovers. My top tip is to check out Pinterest for meal ideas.
7. Enjoy A Hot Drink
Growing up, whenever I was feeling sad, sick, or dealing with anything distressing my mom would always make me a big mug of hot sugary tea. To this day, a cup of tea whenever I am upset or ill is one of the most comforting things in the world for me. I could probably live on tea, to be honest. Hot drinks, in general, are just a great way to stay hydrated and feel cozy in the winter. One of my favorite things to do during the holidays if I am out for a walk or shopping in the cold is to see what festive hot drinks are on offer in coffee shops.
8. Read A Book
Iโve always been a bit of a bookworm, and have found that reading books is one of the best ways to relax and unwind. I just don’t think that anything offers escapism in the same way as a great book does. Getting completely engrossed in a great book is utterly priceless.
9. Get Plenty Of Sleep
If your body or mind is feeling really tired, take notice and take naps. Itโs so important to get enough sleep. In the wintertime, the likelihood is that you will feel more tired all the time. A lot of people also struggle to sleep when it’s cold outside and the air is dry. So just make sure you set your room temperature to around 20c to get a comfortable and decent quality of sleep.
You could also try things like a sleeping mask or earbuds to help you sleep. Also, turn your devices off at least an hour before you go to bed to help you relax. If like me you have a really active mind at night, you could also try journaling to get everything out of your head before you attempt to go to sleep.
10. Listen To Music
Whether you need to let off steam, or just relax, music is always great for self-care. I have an eclectic music collection and pretty much have songs for every mood. Create some go-to playlists on Spotify or iTunes that you can play when you need some ‘you time’.
11. Pamper Yourself
Some pampering can work wonders if you are feeling run down or your self-esteem needs a boost. I try to schedule some pampering at home at least once or twice a week. My favorite at-home pampering activities in the winter are painting my nails and mini facials with hydrating face masks. and leave-in hair conditioner treatments.
12. Put Your Devices Away
Seriously. Just turn your devices off or put them away. If you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stressed, switching your phone off for a while or hiding it in another room for a few hours will do wonders for your mental well-being. Itโs one of the quickest, and easiest ways to switch off for a while. Your mental and emotional health will thank you for it.
There are so many things that you can do to take good care of yourself during the holidays. These are just 12 ideas to get you started. Ultimately, the most important thing, is that you carve out time for yourself to relax and unwind.
What are your top self-care tips for the holidays?
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Great tips! It is amazing how a few simple things can improve our moods and health. Thanks for sharing.
These are great tips. I always forget about how much better I feel when I drink enough water and get enough sleep. I really need to be more intentional about that. The coffee and soda are not the best for me, and I stay up way too late watching mindless TV. It’s a guilty pleasure.