Self-Care During the Holidays

Why Is Self-Care Important During the Holidays?

The holidays can be a time of joyous celebrations with family and friends. But depending on your life circumstances, they can also be stressful, depressing, or lonely.

Consequently, it’s essential to practice self-care during the holidays. Taking some time to focus on wellness can be the key to a healthy, happy holiday season.

The Impact on Physical & Mental Health During the Holidays

As wonderful as the holiday season can be, it can also negatively impact physical and mental health.

For example, meals often play a central role in celebrations. Consequently, you might eat larger portions of foods that aren’t necessarily healthy, which can cause digestive issues, energy spikes and crashes, etc. Busy schedules might also not include time for exercise to work off those extra calories, leaving you feeling bloated or sluggish.

As for mental health, challenges like seeing people with whom you have strained relationships or buying gifts when your budget is tight can cause you to feel stressed, anxious, or depressed.

Holiday self-care can help offset those negative influences and create a more positive experience.

Baptist Health's Top Self-Care Tips

You may not be able to control when or how your family and friends celebrate, but you can control your personal choices regarding diet, activity level, and mental health practices. Give yourself the gift of self-care for the holidays!

Here are some holiday self-care tips for protecting your physical and mental wellness throughout the season:

• Express yourself. If you dread specific things about the holidays (traveling, spending time with a particular person, etc.), talk with someone about it. Sharing your concerns with a friend, family member, or therapist can keep negative emotions from boiling over at the wrong time.
• Be intentional about food and beverage choices. Enjoy the meals and treats you love but be careful about how much and how often you indulge. For example, maybe you choose to have a big slice of your favorite pie after dinner today, knowing you’ll pass on dessert tomorrow. The same is true for alcoholic beverages.
• Find ways to be active. You may not be able to maintain your typical exercise regimen, but any activity helps. Something as quick and easy as going for a five-minute walk outside, hustling up and down a flight of stairs a few times, or doing some “weightlifting” by carrying an arriving loved one’s luggage can make a difference in how you feel.
• Stay hydrated. Water is essential for good health, but it’s easy to get distracted by holiday events and realize at the end of the day that you haven’t had enough. Keeping a water bottle close by can help you avoid that scenario.
• Get enough sleep. Your body needs seven to eight hours each night to rest and recover from the day’s events. Getting adequate sleep also helps keep your immune system functioning correctly.
• Make a budget and stick to it. People often find that their stress about holiday expenses comes from being undecided about them. Choosing amounts within your means for gifts, meals, and other costs can reduce or eliminate that stress.
• Manage your time wisely. It’s easy to stretch yourself too thin during the holidays, so it’s crucial to know when politely declining invitations is in your best interests. If you attend events, remember that short breaks from the festivities here and there can keep the activity from becoming overwhelming.
• Use positive mental health practices. Meditation, prayer, affirmations, visualization, journaling, and other practices can help lower your stress level and keep you calm and relaxed even when things get hectic.
• Take a break from social media. Playing the “comparison game” can be especially unhelpful when it creates stress on top of what you’re already feeling. Minimize your screen time as much as possible during the holidays.
• Ask for help. If you have too much on your plate, see if a friend or family member can handle specific tasks for you.
• Fight your perfectionism. It’s nice that you want things to be perfect for your loved ones — a spotless home, beautiful decorations, fantastic meals, etc. But striving to achieve all those goals can be exhausting. Your family and friends care about you being happy and enjoying the holidays. The other stuff is nice but perhaps not necessary.

Practicing Self-Care During the Holidays

It’s crucial to remember that you have the power to make the season healthier and happier for yourself. Prioritize holiday self-care this year and see what a difference it makes.

You’ll likely find that nourishing your mind, body, and spirit benefits you and, by extension, all the people in your life.

Next Steps and Useful Resources:

Learn More About Behavioral Health Services
Find a Mental Health Provider
Social Media and Mental Health in Adults
Soothe Holiday Stress by Sleeping