The holidays can bring a mix of exciting plans, social events, and also emotions. Many of us start to feel more stressed this time of year, from increased social activities, to financial stress, to familial stress. So, how can we prepare to take care of ourselves during the holiday season? 

Read on to learn actionable tips, based on my own experience, to guide you in practicing self-care to preserve your mental health this holiday season.

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First off, Happy Thanksgiving week to those who celebrate!

I am currently at my grandparents’ house. I was the first to arrive, and my parents and brother got here after me.

From the moment I arrived, I have felt warm and happy. I love my family, and I am so grateful to spend this time together.

I want to do everything I can to keep these warm, positive, cozy vibes going. Thanksgiving feels like the official kickoff to the holiday season, which is a beautiful and complicated time of year. I know the holidays are sometimes emotional, so I wanted to provide some tips to help you take care of yourself this season. 

For many of us, the holiday season means schedule changes, including more social activities and events. As your calendar fills up, remember to use mindfulness and gratitude practices to keep yourself centered and grounded, even when your routine feels shaken up.

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How to Practice Self-Care Around the Holidays

Make the Most of Your Time Off

Whether you work or are in school, you hopefully get at least a few days off around the holidays. Take this time to rest and recharge. This week, I’ve been prioritizing getting a lot of sleep, as well as relaxing with my family, which has been nice.

Practice Your Healthy Habits

Even if your schedule looks different this time of year, try to keep practicing your healthy habits. For me, this means taking time to meditate and journal. Your habits might be different, but make sure to do whatever self-care practices help you feel your best.

Establish a Routine

Do your best to establish some sort of routine for yourself. I don’t suggest making a strict or rigid schedule, but creating some sort of simple routine can help you manage stress and feel more at peace

Give Yourself Space When You Need It

When scheduling holiday plans and events, make sure you also remember to take time to recharge.This is especially important for those of us who start to get drained with a lot of social plans. Remember to plan solo time to go for a walk, journal, read a book, or do whatever activities you need to do to feel re-energized.

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Give Yourself a Break

I know this is easier said than done, but try not to put so much pressure on yourself. Don’t make yourself miserable by setting overly ambitious goals. Just take this time to rest and give yourself lots of grace.

My number one goal is just to stay present and savor the holiday festivities as much as possible. And, of course, to romanticize the season as much as I can!

Solo Self-Care Activity Ideas

Make a plan ahead of time by identifying activities you can do when you need a break from holiday events. 

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Some solo self-care activities include:

• Crafting

Check out this blog post about the mental health benefits of crafting to learn why doing crafts is so soothing for our brains.

• Reading

Reading a good book is a great way to escape for a little while. Check out this blog post for tips to help you get into a reading habit.

• Journaling

Writing down your thoughts helps you quiet your mind and process your emotions.

• Playing or listening to music

If you play an instrument, that is another great calming activity. But even if you don’t play an instrument, listening to music is also soothing.

• Going for a walk

Going for a walk helps you clear your mind. I love going for walks with my parents, but going for a walk by yourself is also a nice way to get that alone time

• Taking a workout class

We all know that exercise is good for your mental and physical health. And taking a workout class you enjoy allows you to get those benefits while also getting a break from whatever is going on around you. You can go to a class at a studio or gym, or find one on YouTube. Read this post to learn the best YouTube channels for practicing at-home yoga.

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Reflect

The year is coming to an end, which provides an opportunity to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the year to come. Taking this time to reflect can really help with your self-esteem, especially if you are typically hard on yourself, like I am. Mindful reflection has allowed me to fully appreciate how far I’ve come in areas of my life I was working to improve. Remember to give yourself credit for your accomplishments!

Practice Gratitude

When reflecting, remember to identify the things you are grateful for. This is such a great way to bring more positivity and joy into your life. I love using gratitude as a way to encourage positive thoughts. Make gratitude a daily habit. I keep a gratitude journal and write down things I’m grateful for every night. And thinking about and talking about things I’m grateful for brings a smile to my face.

Plan Activities

Plan activities to do with your family during downtime in between your holiday fun. 

Family-Friendly Activity Ideas

• Puzzles

Puzzles are a great choice for quality, wholesome family fun. My parents and I also enjoy doing brain games, such as the New York Times Connections.

• Board games

Board games offer wholesome fun for the whole family.

• Video games

Video games can also provide family entertainment. Just remember to consider your demographic when selecting a family-friendly video game to play.

• Holiday movies

My family loves to watch classic Christmas movies, as well as Hallmark Channel movies.

I hope these ideas help you plan for a mindful holiday season. Whatever your plans are, I hope you find a balance between fun plans, time with loved ones, and rest. Let me know in a comment what your holiday traditions are! And make sure to sign up for my email list and follow me on social media (links below) to stay connected and receive more content to help you design your dream life.

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