Over the Christmas and festive season, we often become tangled up in the gifts of the holidays. Toys, homewares, candles, jewelry, and shoes just to name a few. The list really could go on forever. However, amid giving so much to our loved ones around us we can often lose sight of the best gift that we can give ourselves during the most stressful time of year – self-care.
How do you recharge? Do you like spending time with your support network chatting about your day? Or would you prefer to spend some time curled up on the couch with a good book? At times the idea of ‘self-care’ may seem overwhelming, but the key part to remember is that self-care should be tailored to you. It’s not always about face masks and candles (but that can be nice too!). Take an extra minute to make the bed before you leave, so you can enjoy it when you come home. Try doing the dishes directly after a meal so when you wake up the next morning you have a nice tidy kitchen. Or on the other hand, it might be leaving the dishes for tonight in exchange for some extra sleep. Spending time engaging with your hobbies and things you have enjoyed over the course of the year. Check-in and ask yourself, “what is going to help me now, and moving forward?"
On the Sixth Day of Christmas, Self Care was Made by Me...
At its core, there are 6 things that are key for regulating your emotions (e.g., managing your response to stress):
1. Physical health: Take your medication, take care of your body, brush your hair, and shower when you can.
2. Eating: Give your body the fuel it needs to think its way through stressful, anxiety-provoking situations. Eating regularly, and a variety of foods is important (this includes Christmas goodies and treats!)
3. Avoid mood-altering substances: Christmas and the New Year can be a time for indulging in alcohol, however, it is important to be aware that alcohol can increase feelings of anxiety both at the time and post intake (the dreaded “hangxiety”). Alcohol also disrupts your sleep, meaning that whilst it can be easier to fall asleep initially, it becomes difficult to remain asleep and achieve deep sleep.
4. Sleep: Whilst everyone has different sleep needs, ensure that you meet the amount of
sleep that you need to feel your best. For most people, this is around 8hrs. Ensuring that you have a consistent nighttime routine, and avoid caffeine and nicotine after lunchtime (both of these are stimulant substances)
5. Exercise: Whilst this is often one thing that quickly goes out the window, exercise is also very important for regulating your emotions. It can be something like parking further away from the shop than you usually would (though with parking at this time of year – that might happen anyway!) Even if your 30-minute walk becomes 15 minutes, or your yoga class you attend becomes a YouTube Yoga tutorial do your best to continue to engage in the things that help support you.
6. Mastery: Doing one thing every day that you enjoy and brings you a sense of purpose is very important for your wellbeing. This may be something like making your bed, ordering a Christmas present, making a to-do list – or ticking off one or even two things from an existing list. Remember – these things do not have to be monumental tasks. It might be playing the WORDLE, mini or connections puzzle, or cleaning the top of the stove.
At the end of the day – and what it all boils down to is please give yourself the same care, consideration and kindness you show to those around you.
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