Don't forget the basics, even in the crush of the holidays!
As we move toward the Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s holidays, it is not uncommon to feel spread too thin. Last-minute trips to the supermarket, same-day deliveries from Amazon, and running again and again through my list of lists: this is what I’m often doing at this time of year. Which makes it a good time to remember the basics of self-care and how to stay connected with them during the holiday season.
This week I’ll keep it short and sweet. If you can prioritize the following as you stretch beyond what is truly sustainable outside of the holiday season, I’d say you’re doing pretty OK:
Sleep: between holiday gatherings that go late, classic holiday movies, and scrolling through everyone’s posted pictures can keep us up into the wee hours of the night. But our need for adequate quality and quantity of sleep don’t change - and if anything, I feel the need for more sleep during this time. Try to get your 8 hours by getting to bed at a reasonable time whenever your schedule allows, practicing sleep hygiene like putting all devices away an hour before bed, sleeping in when you can, and sneaking in a cat nap (or 3).
Eating regularly: try to stay away from the extreme of primal hunger. Even if you’re looking forward to a special meal with all the rare holiday foods you’ve been fantasizing about, it still makes sense to have a snack so you’re not ravenous by the time you sit down to eat that meal. It also helps to consume a balance of protein, carbs, and fat to please the taste buds and reach satisfaction.
Move your body: a walk after a meal, a community yoga class, or strapping on the ice skates or skis, all of these little forms of movement benefit us in many ways. They serve to balance mood and energy, improve sleep, allow us to connect with one another and the season, and mitigate stress. I find that moving more frequently for less duration, ie, 20-30 minutes per day instead of 1 hour three days a week, is the way to stay connected with the practice of movement.
Check in and breathe regularly - I know it doesn’t feel like a lot of time, but how long does it really take to stop, put your hand on your heart, and breathe? Maybe 30 seconds? And in those 30 seconds, maybe you notice the need for a glass of water, a little nap, or a text to your therapist to set up a session.
The holidays will pass as they do every year. Why not start to approach them from a place of self care rather than self denial?