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Can you believe December is this weekend!? The months have been flying by since I graduated from school and they are going even faster now that I started a new job. Tonight is the Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting, which in my opinion kicks off the officially-official holiday party season.
We are about to enter the annual whirlwind of holiday events that make up the month of December, and at the end of a long year, it can sometimes feel like the last thing you need. More responsibilities? More places to go? More money to spend? Feeling burnt out is common as the year comes to a close, and the holidays only amplify this feeling. Here's my best advice on how to practice some self-care during this coming month, so you don't burn out before you can enjoy all the fun!
ONE | Keep a regular sleep schedule. Don't stay up later than normal just because it is the holiday season. Plan your time accordingly so that you can continue to function on your regular schedule. Your body will thank you for this during and after the season when life returns to 'normal.'
TWO | Plan time to spend with yourself. This time of year we are constantly surrounded by others, and if you need that alone time to recharge, make sure you prioritize it. Take an extra long bath, enjoy coffee and reading in the morning, or simply drive around town by yourself so that you can be ready-to-go when you spend time with others.
THREE | Learn when to say no. It might seem necessary to agree to every opportunity that comes your way, but there is really only so much that can fit in one day, one week, or one month. If your heart is not 100% invested in a plan or commitment, politely decline the offer. That way, you'll fill your holiday season with only events and experiences that you know will bring you joy and merriment, with none of the regrets.
FOUR | Plan in advance by getting a jump start on your holiday tasks during the off-season. One of the ways that I like to do this is by keeping a running list of gift ideas any time a family member mentions something that they would like or wish they had. This saves time in the end because you know exactly what to look for when out shopping and you know that you're purchasing something the recipient will really love!
FIVE | Do your best to avoid situations that cause stress or anxiety when possible. Sometimes these situations are out of our control, but other times we can actively choose what type of situation we would like to be in. For example, there is a lot of pressure to go out shopping in person for gifts, decorations, and food. But the stores are always jam-packed and you might know in your gut that you would rather purchase items online and have food delivered to your door by a grocery service. Take control of these situations by trusting your gut and not falling into the pressure of being out and about in spite of their stressfulness.
SIX | Delegate tasks to others and ask for help when you need it. Trying to do it all in any season is a major cause for burnout, and the holidays make this worse. If you can have help from friends and family doing holiday tasks like decorating the tree, cooking for a party, or wrapping presents, ask for it! Make your annual holiday party a potluck if that will make things easier on you. Invite everyone over for a tree-lighting party and you'll have helping hands to set up and decorate. Finding ways to make these activities fun is even more incentive to delegate and get help from others.
SEVEN | Balance your diet with lots of healthy foods. Turkey, cookies, and gallons of peppermint hot chocolate don't make for a very healthy diet during the last month of the year. On normal days when you aren't feasting or spending time with friends, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet. You will feel less sluggish and have more energy to push through the last month of the year.
EIGHT | Dedicate some time to spend reflecting on the season. Whether that time is spent journaling, volunteering, or even at church services, it is important to keep some perspective on what the holidays are all about in order to avoid burnout. Staying in touch with emotions of gratitude, generosity, and kindness can recenter you and ground your motivations this season to focus on what is important.
NINE | Simplify your decorations. Decorating for this time of year is no small undertaking, and it is a second hassle to take everything down after the new year. Cut back on decorating and stick to simple items that can easily be broken down and stored for the next year. Your setup and clean up process will be much easier and relieve some of the stress that comes from having the most wildly decorated house in town.
TEN | Write down notes for next year and keep them with your holiday supplies. If you find a method that really works for you this year, try to write down what you did in as much detail as possible so that next year you can follow your instructions and have smooth sailing into the holidays again.
We are about to enter the annual whirlwind of holiday events that make up the month of December, and at the end of a long year, it can sometimes feel like the last thing you need. More responsibilities? More places to go? More money to spend? Feeling burnt out is common as the year comes to a close, and the holidays only amplify this feeling. Here's my best advice on how to practice some self-care during this coming month, so you don't burn out before you can enjoy all the fun!
ONE | Keep a regular sleep schedule. Don't stay up later than normal just because it is the holiday season. Plan your time accordingly so that you can continue to function on your regular schedule. Your body will thank you for this during and after the season when life returns to 'normal.'
TWO | Plan time to spend with yourself. This time of year we are constantly surrounded by others, and if you need that alone time to recharge, make sure you prioritize it. Take an extra long bath, enjoy coffee and reading in the morning, or simply drive around town by yourself so that you can be ready-to-go when you spend time with others.
THREE | Learn when to say no. It might seem necessary to agree to every opportunity that comes your way, but there is really only so much that can fit in one day, one week, or one month. If your heart is not 100% invested in a plan or commitment, politely decline the offer. That way, you'll fill your holiday season with only events and experiences that you know will bring you joy and merriment, with none of the regrets.
FOUR | Plan in advance by getting a jump start on your holiday tasks during the off-season. One of the ways that I like to do this is by keeping a running list of gift ideas any time a family member mentions something that they would like or wish they had. This saves time in the end because you know exactly what to look for when out shopping and you know that you're purchasing something the recipient will really love!
FIVE | Do your best to avoid situations that cause stress or anxiety when possible. Sometimes these situations are out of our control, but other times we can actively choose what type of situation we would like to be in. For example, there is a lot of pressure to go out shopping in person for gifts, decorations, and food. But the stores are always jam-packed and you might know in your gut that you would rather purchase items online and have food delivered to your door by a grocery service. Take control of these situations by trusting your gut and not falling into the pressure of being out and about in spite of their stressfulness.
SIX | Delegate tasks to others and ask for help when you need it. Trying to do it all in any season is a major cause for burnout, and the holidays make this worse. If you can have help from friends and family doing holiday tasks like decorating the tree, cooking for a party, or wrapping presents, ask for it! Make your annual holiday party a potluck if that will make things easier on you. Invite everyone over for a tree-lighting party and you'll have helping hands to set up and decorate. Finding ways to make these activities fun is even more incentive to delegate and get help from others.
SEVEN | Balance your diet with lots of healthy foods. Turkey, cookies, and gallons of peppermint hot chocolate don't make for a very healthy diet during the last month of the year. On normal days when you aren't feasting or spending time with friends, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet. You will feel less sluggish and have more energy to push through the last month of the year.
EIGHT | Dedicate some time to spend reflecting on the season. Whether that time is spent journaling, volunteering, or even at church services, it is important to keep some perspective on what the holidays are all about in order to avoid burnout. Staying in touch with emotions of gratitude, generosity, and kindness can recenter you and ground your motivations this season to focus on what is important.
NINE | Simplify your decorations. Decorating for this time of year is no small undertaking, and it is a second hassle to take everything down after the new year. Cut back on decorating and stick to simple items that can easily be broken down and stored for the next year. Your setup and clean up process will be much easier and relieve some of the stress that comes from having the most wildly decorated house in town.
TEN | Write down notes for next year and keep them with your holiday supplies. If you find a method that really works for you this year, try to write down what you did in as much detail as possible so that next year you can follow your instructions and have smooth sailing into the holidays again.
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