Sparkle and magic all around is – it is the holiday season! Everyone looks forward to this time of the year, as it means celebrating with loved ones, sharing laughter and making memories. However, it is also the most stressful time of the year. There is a lot going on during the holiday season such as buying gifts, attending family gatherings and creating resolutions for the upcoming year.
Moreover, we find ourselves saying yes to events that drain our social battery. This can take a toll on our mental health and we feel the holiday season to be a daunting time of the year instead of being the most magical time of the year. During this holiday season, let us find ways to enjoy the festivities but also take care of our well-being, especially our mental health. Here are some practical tips to make sure your mental health stays on track during the festivities.
1. Take time to Reflect on the Past Year
The holiday season marks the end of a long year of wins, challenges and losses. And so we deserve to give a pat on the back for all the hard work that we put in throughout the year and look at the celebration as one of our successes. As it is the end of the year, we tend to feel the need to reflect on all that has happened to us such as what has worked well and what didn’t.
However, it is important to keep in mind that we approach that reflective process with more compassion and less judgment. Celebrate the successes that have happened in the past year, no matter how big or small they are, with your loved ones. This is the time to applaud ourselves and reboot. One way to help shift your perspective is by creating a gratitude list. Write down the moments, people, and experiences you are grateful for throughout the year.
This simple practice can help shift your mindset from what was missing to what was abundant in your life. It encourages a positive outlook and allows you to appreciate the year’s journey. In order to gain more insight about yourself, you can start journaling. This will help you declutter your mind and you can enjoy your holidays stress-free.
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2. Take a Step Back and relax- A mind well rested is one that’s most productive!
One can easily get swayed away with the spirit of Christmas and New Year’s parties. It is the time of the year when our schedule is full of parties, family gatherings, and social obligations. However, this might lead to burnout and less time for self-care. Instead of entering the new year exhausted, let us try to find small ways to relax throughout the day as a well-rested mind is more productive.
You can start by carving out time throughout the day for relaxation. For example, a nice quiet cup of tea in the morning or taking a short walk in nature can help you feel grounded and relaxed. These acts of self-care can make you feel less overwhelmed and declutter your mind. We should prioritize quality time with friends and family, and make some sweet memories, as the year progresses towards an end.
Moreover, trying to unplug for a while, and being on your phone all the time can be draining. Try to stay away from screens and allot time to catch up with your loved ones and get to know each other. Cherish past memories and have a good time with each other which will help your festive season even more altogether. In addition to that, a good night’s sleep is essential during this holiday season as one can be busy with social gatherings or trying to complete unfinished work.
Lack of sleep can affect your overall mood and energy. It is important that you get 7-8 hours of well-rested quality sleep to increase your productivity and to be in a better mood. By having a good quality of sleep, you will wake up feeling refreshed and will be able to enjoy the holidays without being in a sour mood.
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3. Let’s have a Healthy Holiday season– Develop positive habits.
Although the holiday season is often thought of as a time to let go and indulge ourselves, we should also take this time as an opportunity to develop positive self-care habits. During this time, we tend to take a break from our mundane routine, but this does not mean we must not abandon our self-care practice. We can use this opportunity to learn new habits that improve our physical and mental health. You can practice your mindfulness activities such as meditation, deep breathing exercises and yoga during this busy season.
This will help you reduce your stress, improve your overall mood and most importantly bring out a sense of calm. If you have not tried any of the mindfulness activities, now is the perfect time to start. There are various apps and online classes that can guide you when you are engaging in meditation or yoga thus you can easily add them to your routine. Just doing this for a few minutes can make a difference in how you feel. The most exciting part of the holiday season is to indulge in festive foods, but it can affect your well-being.
It is important to keep a balance by getting plenty of movements. You can do this by adding physical activity into your routine, for example by going for a walk, yoga or playing outdoor games such as badminton or cricket. This will help you to regulate your energy levels. Furthermore, you can engage in hobbies that are relaxing and grounding. This can be journaling, drawing, dancing, or simply reading, these activities will allow you to unwind and relax.
These activities can also be a good distraction from the busy holiday schedule, offering you a sense of balance in your routine. Another way you can safeguard your mental health is by setting boundaries. The holiday season is a time of overcommitment with friends and family who want to spend time together. It is important that you recognize your limits and communicate your boundaries with them. You don’t have to attend every social gathering; it is okay to decline the invite. Saying “no” can be seen as an act of self-care which gives you space to energise yourself.
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4. Set Intentions for the New Year
As the year comes to an end, we start to think about our new year’s resolutions and goals for the upcoming year. This can be seen as an exciting process for some people whereas for others, it can be daunting. Regardless of this, it is important that we approach goal-setting with realistic expectations. Instead of setting resolutions that are unattainable, try to break down the goals into smaller steps that are achievable. This will make you feel that attaining the goal is manageable and less daunting.
Furthermore, creating a vision board can be a creative and fun way for you to visualize your goals for the upcoming year. You can start by collecting images, words, and quotes that represent your dreams and aspirations. Once it is ready, you can hang your vision board in your room so that it can be a constant reminder of your goals and keep you motivated. With the help of apps, you can also create a digital vision board that is saved on your phone or laptop as wallpaper.
It is important to reflect on what you want to improve in your personal life as well as your professional life. Let us start focusing on your self-care practices, relationships, career growth and passion. Setting realistic expectations will make the process more enjoyable and allow you to celebrate the small wins in your life.
5. Enjoy the Magic of Holidays
The core of the holiday season is excitement and magic in the air. It is the time of year for you to relax, recharge and be grateful. You can enjoy the holiday season to the fullest by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. Remember, to create time for self-care in your routine. It can be as simple as taking a moment to breathe, enjoying a quiet time of tea or saying “no” to something that is taxing. Moreover, unplug your phones and embrace the love and warmth of spending time with your loved ones.
As the holiday season can be chaotic, it is important to be kind to yourself, set boundaries, relax and enjoy spending time with loved ones. But also, in all the chaos, remember to take care of your well-being as this will help you feel energized and enjoy the festivities. While we look forward to the new year, it is important to be grateful for what has happened in the past year and be mindful of how far we come. Celebrate the small wins and take a step back to relax and rejuvenate your life. Thus, you can enter the new year with a burst of energy.
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