Last Updated October 29, 2023
Self-Care For Women In Midlife During The Holidays
The holiday season is around the corner, and while it’s a time for joy, celebration and family, it can also be quite hectic and overwhelming. That’s why it’s absolutely important to take care of your emotional health, mental health and physical health during this season! Self-care for women during the holidays is all about taking a proactive approach to finding moments of calm amidst the chaos, giving yourself some well-deserved pampering, and permission to say no to things that aren’t right for you. So grab your favorite book and a face mask, treat yourself to a cozy night in, enjoy that long bubble bath you’ve been dreaming of, and don’t forget to put your own happiness first. Below are 8 easy ways to practice self-care during this holiday season.
Holiday Self-Care Reflections
This year I am struck by the significance of self-care during the holiday season, as I’m experiencing a gentle ache in my own heart. This year will be a significant change as my children, now young adults, won’t be coming home for the holidays. For me, embracing self care during this time means being gentle with myself and listening to the signals my body sends. With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s easy to be swept away by the festivities, potentially neglecting our own needs. But, let’s not forget how important it is to take care of ourselves, even amidst all the holiday cheer.
Why Is Self-Care Important For Women During The Holidays?
During the holiday rush, it’s common for women today to feel stretched thin as they juggle their own needs with the needs of others. Taking care of yourself can make a big difference and help you stay in the present moment, balance stress, and maintain healthy relationships during this special occasion.
8 Holiday Self-Care Tips
1. Regular Exercise
Committing to a regular exercise routine helps manage your health when you’re busy during the holidays. Now, I know you’re probably thinking, who has time for exercise during the holidays? Well, let me tell you a little secret, making time for exercise is like giving yourself a gift. Getting regular exercise, even just a quick walk, is a chance to take a little break and focus on feeling good. Stepping outside for a brisk walk, diving into Yoga, or engaging in any form of exercise helps you calm your mind, lower your blood pressure, and uplift your spirits.
2. Improve Sleep Hygiene
We all know that the holiday hustle can leave us feeling drained and zapped of energy. That’s why It’s essential to improve your sleep quality and make sure you’re getting enough rest. Start by creating a cozy sleep environment, think warm blankets, dim lights, and maybe even an aromatherapy lavender-scented candle to set the mood. And don’t overlook the need to put aside those distracting electronic devices! Ditch the screen time and late-night social media scrolling, and swap it for a riveting novel or relaxing music to help you decompress. Remember, self-care isn’t selfish. It’s crucial for raising your energy levels, in order to have a positive impact putting your best self forward for all of those holiday parties!
3. Emotional Regulation
The holidays can trigger a rollercoaster of emotions, that swing from the exhilarating peaks to tiring valleys and everything in between. So how can we navigate these ups and downs with grace? Emotional regulation is the name of the game. Take some time each day to check in with yourself and acknowledge your feelings. You may try keeping a self-care journal. Journaling about what you’re going through helps you process and deal with those feelings. Give yourself permission to feel your emotions, both positive and negative, and release them. Even when things seem hopeless and hard, remember that eventually, it will all pass – just like other holidays before it!
4. Managing Holiday Stress
Be gentle with yourself and take things slowly this season if you’re experiencing chronic stress. When we’re constantly engaged in something stressful or overwhelming, our bodies produce cortisol – a hormone known for causing stress responses. To counteract this effect, try taking regular deep breaths and give yourself breaks from whatever you’re doing. Deep breathing exercises are a powerful way to decrease stress.
5. Make time for fun
One aspect of self-care that often gets overlooked is social self-care. Whether it’s a cozy movie night with your besties or a hilarious game of charades with your crazy relatives, laughter and connection are the perfect antidotes to holiday stress. So, make sure to carve out some time with family members for fun and games. Making cherished memories together that’ll last a lifetime is priceless, so grab some hot cocoa, get cozy in your favorite holiday sweater, and have a blast!
6. Time For You
While you’re busy making sure everyone else has the perfect holiday experience, don’t forget to prioritize your own self-care. Make sure you schedule a little time for yourself each day, no matter what else is happening around you. During this time, do whatever makes you happy – whether that means going for a walk outdoors, listening to your favorite song, or indulging in your favorite dessert.
7. Aromatherapy
Indulge in some much-needed self-care and relaxation with aromatherapy for the holidays. Imagine you’re surrounded by the soothing scent of lavender or eucalyptus, your favorite holiday tunes are playing softly in the background, and all your worries just melt away. And if getting outdoors isn’t possible due to weather conditions, you can bring the outdoors in with aromatherapy. Investing in natural aromatherapy essential oils, a diffuser, scented candles, and plants has proven to help ease stress and promote feelings of calm.
8. Manage Holiday Expectations
The holidays may feel like a never-ending to-do list that seems to grow longer by the day. But don’t stress, ladies, we’ve got this! When it comes to women’s self-care during the holidays, there are two magic words you need to remember; manage and prioritize. The first step is to manage those holiday expectations. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of having a picture-perfect holiday, but remember that perfection doesn’t exist. Let go, sip a nice warm cup of tea, and think of the good things that make these holidays so memorable. The next step is to jot down a list of tasks that need to be done before the Christmas rush begins. Tackling to-do lists one step at a time helps you focus rather than feeling overwhelmed.
How To Create A Self-Care Plan
How do we survive this busy season with our sanity intact? Crafting a personal care plan is your secret weapon to staying sane amidst the holiday chaos. Focusing on your own well-being first allows you to be in a better position to help those around you. A good self-care tip is to always put your energy into activities that genuinely make you smile. The top priority this holiday season should be looking after your own health and happiness. And don’t forget to give yourself permission to set boundaries and say “no” to those holiday parties that you just don’t have the energy for, your mental health is more important than any fruitcake.
4 Step Holiday Self-care Routine
Creating a holiday self-care routine is essential to maintain your well-being during the busy festive season. Here are four steps to help you establish a self-care routine for the holidays:
1. Assess Your Needs
Start with a self-assessment identifying your personal self-care needs. Take time to reflect on your life and current circumstances. Consider what areas of your physical, emotional, and mental health need attention this holiday season. Are you feeling stressed, tired, or emotionally drained? Identifying the areas that require care is the first step.
2. Set Clear Goals
Define specific self-care goals for the holiday season. Create goals around activities or practices that make you feel relaxed, happy, and rejuvenated. This could mean breaking a sweat at the gym, seeking peace through meditation, cherishing moments with those you love, or getting lost in your favorite hobby. Having crystal clear goals and a focused mindset is the key to staying on track and achieving what you’re aiming for.
3. Create A Schedule
Carve out some time for yourself in your holiday hustle and bustle to enjoy activities that recharge your batteries. Block off specific times in your calendar for these activities and treat them as non-negotiable appointments with yourself. You can create a daily and or weekly routine for yourself.
4. Be Flexible
While it’s essential to stick to your self-care routine, be adaptable. The holidays can be unpredictable, so if plans change, adjust your self-care activities accordingly. Maintaining a balance between self-care and holiday festivities is ideal.
By following these steps, you can create a holiday self-care routine that helps you stay grounded, reduce stress, and enjoy the festive season to the fullest.
What are the self-care tips for better health?
Some self-care tips for women during the holidays include; setting boundaries, self-love rituals like a tranquil bath or reading a gripping book, getting enough z’s, physical activity, embracing mindfulness and gratitude practices, drinking lots of water and connecting with loved ones.
Self-Care For The New Year
Taking care of your mind and body during the holidays is a lifestyle that you can follow all year long. With the 8 easy tips mentioned in this article, you can start improving your health today!
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Jenni Mullins
Yoga & Holistic Health Coach
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