The holidays are a wonderful time of year. Our days are filled with exciting social events, late nights with friends and family, over-indulging in delicious sweets and treats, and spoiling the special people in our lives.
But for many of us, the higher demands of the holiday season can become overwhelming- leading to higher levels of stress and the likelihood of burnout. It is easy to put your own personal needs and self-care regime on the back burner when life gets busy.
Here are some tips to help get you through the holiday season without taking a toll on your personal health.
1. Give yourself the gift of space and time to do some self-reflecting on your health goals – Has there been an ache or pain that you’ve been ignoring? Is there an aspect of your physical health that you have allowed to deteriorate over the past several months? Was there a goal you had anticipated that has seemed to slip through the cracks this year? Self-awareness is key to maintaining optimal health and achieving success with personal intentions.
2. Pre-schedule your self-care days – With such a busy time of year ahead, our schedules tend to get packed with social gatherings, to-do lists, and other various obligations, often leaving little time for personal care. Prioritizing one day per week to spend on yourself can really make a difference in maintaining your energy levels. Take time to get a massage, spend a day in nature, go to a yoga class, or simply have some “me-time” at home with some relaxing tea and your favorite book. Blocking off some time for self-care will make sure you get the rest you deserve.
3. Understand your own boundaries and don’t over-do it – It can be hard to say no to all the demands and obligations of the holidays, but knowing your limits and not pushing past them is so important for your physical and mental well-being. Practice saying no to the invites and requests that go beyond your personal capacity. If that extra work party or night out with friends is interfering with your rest and recovery, know that it is okay to decline the invitation and give yourself some downtime.
The holidays are a wonderful time to share with the ones you love, but remember: you can’t pour from an empty cup and you will always have so much more to offer to others when you take care of yourself first.
This holiday season our team at the IV Health Centre is here to help you celebrate the greatest gift of all – optimal health and wellness.
— Marly Hill, RMT
To book an appointment with Marly visit our website at theiv.ca or give us a call at 604-974-8999
