5 self-care Tips For the holidays

I am a huge advocate of self-care and making sure that I schedule "me" time every. single. day.

I'm not talking about really big blocks of time, but sometimes just a few minutes each day. What do I mean by self-care?

What is Self-Care?

Self-care refers to taking care of one's needs and making those needs a priority on a regular basis.

You may be wondering, "But, Sara, that's so selfish to put my needs ahead of other people's needs!" or "WHAT?!? I barely have time to do anything as it is, and you want me to add another thing to my never-ending to-do list?!?"

My response to you would be, "absolutely!"

Why Self-Care is Important

Here's the deal- How can you possibly be the best partner, spouse, friend, parent, child, (insert any other type of relationship title here), if you're not taking care of yourself?

Here's an example- for anyone who's ever been on an airplane, you've probably had to hear about what to do if there's an emergency and the oxygen masks drop down from the ceiling. Passengers are instructed to put on their own oxygen masks before helping anyone else with theirs. Do you know why? Because you'll be of no use to anyone else if you can't breathe properly (i.e. take care of your needs first).

The same is true about self-care- you can't be of any use or help to anyone else if you're not at your best (or at least- in a good place) yourself.

There are umpteen (is that even a word???) ways to practice self-care. Below I’ve listed ways to practice self-care during the holiday season.

5 Tips to Care for Yourself During the Holidays

1. You don't have to attend every single event you're invited to.

From Thanksgiving to New Year's, many people like to host parties, get-together's, and other social events. It's a time when kids have off of school, family comes in from out of town, and people have time off of work, so it makes sense that many people make plans and get invited to social functions.

However, running around trying to cram in every single thing is exhausting, and being exhausted will not benefit anyone.

This leads me to the next tip...

2. Get enough sleep.

I know, I know... easier said than done. It seems that the closer it gets to Christmas, the more hectic things become and there's so much to do!

Getting adequate sleep will help you have enough energy to enjoy the time with family and friends. Plus, no one will want to be around ya if you’re grumpy and cranky.

3. Set limits on your spending.

This can mean several things-

Your kids, friends, family members don't need the most expensive, "in" presents. I'm not saying to not buy those things. If you’re strapped for money, it's OK to pass on overspending on fancy gifts. In fact, financial trouble is considered one of the most stressful experiences you can have. And... when there's stress involved, it affects your overall health. So, do yourself a favor and don't go into debt over expensive gifts.

With this in mind, you totally don't have to donate to every single charity you come in contact with. When faced with giving to a charity, most people feel a tug on their heartstrings and want to donate to those less fortunate than themselves.

However, you are not selfish for choosing not to donate to all charities. 

4. Make sure to eat regularly.

It goes without saying that taking care of yourself includes eating regular meals. When our already busy lives become even more packed with holiday madness, it can be tempting to skip a meal and grab something on the go. Again, if you’re not fueling your body with enough nutrients, you won’t have enough energy to do much of anything, much less anything productive.

5.  Do something you enjoy every day.

You may be wondering- how on earth is this even possible?

I didn't say to do something extravagant, time-consuming, or expensive. I'm suggesting that if you want to take a nap on a weekend afternoon, go ahead and take one, or if there's that new Netflix movie you want to watch, enjoy it.

The idea is that you don't need to feel guilty about taking a couple of moments for yourself. So, I'm giving you permission to take an extra 5 minutes to enjoy your cup of coffee or take the long route home from work to enjoy the Christmas lights.

I can't express enough how important it is to practice self-care.

Taking care of yourself isn't selfish; it's necessary.

Want some help learning how to prioritize yourself and what you need?

Counseling can help.

Learning how to identify what you want and need is not always easy. It can be stressful. For people who struggle with anxiety and managing relationships, therapy can be helpful.

I love helping anxious people find relief from their overwhelming stress, unstable relationships, and past trauma. As a DBT therapist, I help people struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder, have experienced trauma, or are anxious.

DBT Therapy in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, and Lebanon, PA.

If you’re looking for a therapist, reach out today. I offer free consultations for counseling. You can book your own video therapy consultations or call me at 717-685-5074.