Have you ever felt rundown over the holiday season? Maybe you caught a cold or you just felt absolutely exhausted? It’s more common than you know. By the end of December almost every year, I feel the same way.
During December, chances are, you have more parties and family events to attend to, your to-do list is longer than every other month, you have appointments, you have more cooking and preparing to do and you’re probably letting your usual routines slide as well.
I want us all to avoid holiday burn-out this year, so I’m going to give you my ‘plan of attack’ for December to make sure I’m taking care of myself through this crazy-busy month as well!
♡ Schedule in you time
It is incredibly easy to get caught up in the usual hustle and bustle of the holidays. We are so busy focusing on everybody around us – buying presents for everybody, organising Santa for the kids, getting ready for the Christmas break at work, catching up with friends and all of the playdates.
Trust me, I know! It can be exhausting and feel like you literally don’t have any spare time but I’m sure you do.
It’s so, so, so important for you to remember to take care of yourself during the holidays so I would like you to schedule in one hour every single day for you. This hour can be filled with anything you like, as long as it’s for you.
In my hour, I plan to meditate, journal and exercise or stretch my body.
♡ Say no
As I write this, we’re at the beginning of December and I can see my calendar for the month. I can see that I have literally 16 events I need to attend before the end of the month. That’s on top of my usual workload, household duties and being a Mum!
These events are either necessary or I truly want to do them.
Just because it’s Christmas and New Years does not mean you have to be busy 24/7. You are allowed to say no to events and functions that you don’t want to go too and that’s okay.
Allow yourself time to consider each invitation and decline if you truly don’t want to go. Remember that you not wanting to go is a valid reason for not doing something.
♡ Take care of your physical body
If you’re anything like me, you eat a lot more during December. I have so many dinners, picnics and lunches booked in that it can be hard to pick healthier options each time so I am going to allow myself to enjoy the food that I am eating this month but I’m going to also take care of my body as well.
I may overindulge in food, but I will still also continue stretching my muscles, going on walks when I can and resting when I need too.
♡ Practise gratitude
The holidays are the perfect time to practise gratitude. The truth is, if you’re reading this right now, you’re incredibly lucky. Maybe you know that or maybe you don’t quite think that, but try to remember that you’re reading this free content on an electronic device that is connected to wifi which is using electricity. Unfortunately, there are so many people in the world who are unable to afford phones or computers and wifi, let alone electricity.
I know that I’m incredibly grateful to have family and friends to spend the holidays with. I’m grateful that I can give my son a beautiful Christmas filled with toys, love and laughter. I’m grateful that I can host Christmas at my house and provide delicious, nutritious and lots of food to my loved ones. I’m grateful to have the knowledge and audience to give this content too. I’m grateful that I was able to purchase Christmas gifts for disadvantaged children and help them to have a more beautiful month too.
There is so much to be grateful for, you just need to open your eyes and take a look around.
♡ Let yourself feel your emotions
The holidays can be an emotional time. You’re busier than usual, family and friends are stressed out and there are probably a lot of triggers around you which remind you of something in your past.
I would really like you to feel your emotions this month. If you’re upset, then be upset. Take the time to cry, lay in bed or a hot bath. Miss somebody or feel angry at somebody. It’s okay to have emotions, it’s just important that we remember that we’re only human as well.
♡ Be present
This is my favourite recommendation and definitely something I’ll be focusing on this month!
Let’s all be present!!
As we’re busy socialising and catching up with everybody, I would really recommend for you to truly spend that time with the person you’re with. Leave your phone at home, don’t worry about the event tomorrow or what present you still need to buy. Take the time to enjoy the conversations, laugh at the jokes, play with the kids, enjoy the delicious foods and slow down.
This list of suggestions is exactly what I will personally be following this holiday season too so if you have any questions or concerns, you’re always welcome to reach out to me, especially because I’ll be in the exact same boat as you this year!
With love
Shorina xo
Counsellor + Wellness & Mental Health Coach
Hi, I'm Shorina and I'm an Australian Counsellor + Wellness & Mental Health Coach. I'm here to support you to redefine your relationship to self and life! I incorporate a mind, body and soul wellness approach to my work with a focus on healing and mindfulness ♡
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