11 Self-Care Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

11 Self-Care Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

The Holiday Season.

It is referred to as “the most wonderful time of the year”

But, it may also be the most stressful time of year due to buying gifts, hosting parties, trying not to break healthy habits, trying to stick to a budget, and attending family get-togethers.

That’s why it’s so important to make time for self-care and self-love during the holidays.

During the holidays I want you to feel the best to really enjoy the season! So I’m sharing 11 self-care tips to reduce your stress and help you get the most “comfort and joy” as possible during the upcoming holidays.

1. Release It. The holidays can bring up a lot of emotions, discomfort and baggage. You may be stressed about money. Perhaps you’re missing a loved one. Maybe you’re dreading spending time with difficult family members. The worst thing you can do is keep everything in. Talking to someone like a coach, a friend, or someone you can trust to give you a safe space to vent and be a sounding board will be so helpful. 
2. Make Healthy Choices (Most of the Time:). If you want to eat the Pumpkin Pie, by all means eat the Pumpkin Pie! With whipped cream if you'd like😉 I don’t believe in a life of restriction, and the holidays are a good opportunity to consciously indulge. Just watching your portion sizes and choosing your indulgences consciously and jumping on the healthy train full steam the next day will make a world of difference. As a rule of thumb, try to make healthy choices the majority of the time. And remember, too much sugar, salt, fat, etc. can impact your energy, motivation and mood, energy. This is another great reason to indulge in moderation.
3. Making Time for Self-Care. I can’t overstate the importance of self-care throughout the holidays. I have too much on my plate, you might be thinking.  How am I supposed to make time for self-care? The answer may surprise you, but, when you are crazy busy is when you need self-care most. So make sure to schedule time for you this holiday season. Ten minutes can make a big difference in your mental health. It’s enough time to re-set by getting outside for a breath of fresh air, a quick meditation, fitting in a quick workout, or just spending some time with a loved one. And, Pamper Yourself. The holidays are a great excuse to treat yourself to a little pampering. Get a new ‘do, go for a relaxing massage, give yourself a manicure, or do something else for you.
4. Meditate. The practice of meditation and mindfulness is an excellent way to maintain self-awareness and stay focused on the present. There are tons of apps that provide short, guided meditations on various topics to assist you in calming down and help you center yourself and keep calm through the holiday hustle and bustle.
5. Affirmations. Saying affirmations aloud is another excellent technique to ground yourself, set your intentions for how you want to feel, and show up for both yourself and others during the holiday season. When you need a reset, try writing or reciting the following affirmation aloud: "I breathe in calmness and positivity." Or  choose another affirmation that supports your ideal situation.
6. Be Active. Fitting in some movement can improve your overall well-being, reduce your stress and anxiety, increase your energy, and burn off those delicious holiday treats. So try to fit in physical activity where you can. It doesn't have to take a long time or be extremely intense. Even a five-minute walk around the block and taking the stairs instead of the elevator add up and can help increase your overall stamina. Not to mention helping to keep your glucose from spiking and crashing along with your energy.  
7. Say No. It’s easy to stretch ourselves too thin over the holidays by saying yes to all the things. While I encourage you to say yes to the things that are most important to you, I also want to remind you to be kind to yourself, guard your time, and to politely decline anything that makes you feel exhausted or stressed.
8. Make Time for Sleep. While it may be tempting to stay up late shopping, wrapping presents, celebrating, and baking, getting enough sleep is essential to feeling our best physically, mentally, and spiritually. It also helps maintain a robust immune system, because no one enjoys being sick. Try to get seven or eight hours of sleep a night.
9. Stay Hydrated. When we're busy, we frequently underestimate the significance of drinking enough water and neglect to hydrate completely, but dehydration can have negative effects on the body and leave you feeling awful. Aim to drink at LEAST half your bodyweight in ounces a day. But, my preference is for you to hit 100 oz a day. Remember to keep a reusable water bottle on you at all times so you’re never left high and dry. Lol. Among other really important things water helps boost energy and flushes toxins from your system, among other things.
10. Breath…and Smile. Try these two things if the length of your to-do list or other worries are bringing you down: First, Breath. Take some slow, deep breaths in through your mouth, holding at the top and out through your mouth. Studies have shown that this simple act can increase positivity, reduce emotional reactivity, improve brain health, and promote calm feelings. Then, Smile (even if you don’t feel like it:). There is  something to be said for faking it ‘til you make it. If you’re feeling the opposite of happy, try grinning from ear to ear. Just the act of smiling can uplift you and snap you out of the funk you are in. 
11. Ditch the Perfection Mentality. We all want the holidays to be memorable and meaningful, but if you’re striving for perfection, you’re setting yourself up for a lot of disappointment and stress. Perfection doesn’t exist! And, chasing it will make you crazy. Ditch the “perfect” holiday and be okay with having an authentic, real one. You’ll have a lot more fun!! 

I hope these tips help you have your best holiday season yet—you deserve it!

🩷YOU, Kate