Liberate Yourself This Holiday Season

Tips for self-care this holiday season and throughout the year.

Greetings everyone, I hope this blog post finds you healthy and looking forward to the new year ahead. The holiday season is upon us, and it can be a time of joy, but for many it becomes a time of overcommitment. There are the everyday demands now complicated by events and additional expectations. We put forward more of our time, energy, and money. These additional demands can leave us stressed and susceptible to illness.

When stressed, our personal needs can often fall to our last priority, or don’t make the list at all. We may be the only earner of the family, responsible for many people’s care needs, or the peacekeeper of the family.  We tend to them first and our wellbeing may pay the price.

Family caregivers are typically compassionate people who have chosen the role or are living it by default.  It is especially important to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue that can lead to health issues, lost wages, and resentment due to self-sacrifice.

When your life is more organized and things flow better you are less stressed.  When you are less stressed it’s easier to hold your boundaries and not react when put on the spot and say yes to something you will later regret. We all are in control of saying yes or no.

Here are some tips.

·       Unapologetically delegate whatever you can.

·       Strategically pick and choose what invitations you accept or the responsibility of hosting.

·       Create a morning & evening routine.

·       Make time to declutter your home, office, car and create a space for solitude.

Streamline your morning routine so you aren’t rushed and create a negative start to the day. Your stress is contagious. Our triggers and responses have a ripple effect on those around us. It may require you to wake up 15-20 minutes earlier to create some ease in the routine.

A morning routine helps you know where everything is, what’s expected, and how you’ll address your responsibilities and your well-being. It can help you feel more grounded and start your day in a positive way. An evening routine can structure your sleep cycle and allow you to go to bed without the checklist for tomorrow swirling in your head.

Consider hiring a personal organizer, cleaning service or companion service to free up your time so you may address these tasks.  This is self-preservation, not selfish. It is a great use of your time and energy to get organized, and the expense of hiring someone to care for your loved one during that time will pay you back in more time to spend in joyful moments.

Pre-plan the day the night before.  Keep your home stocked!  Prepare meals ahead or find a service to deliver healthy options. What you eat contributes to your energy and sensitivity to stress.  Clean up your diet whenever possible.

Try to rearrange your schedule to give yourself 15 to 30 minutes in the morning or at night for something you truly will enjoy doing.  If you don’t love it, it will not become a new healthy habit. It could be a simple walk or listening to a guided meditation.

3 Non-Negotiable Habits: 

1.Healthy Hydration

2. Exercise

3. Structured Sleep

Try watching only comedies for a while and stay away from the news.  Take a social media break if you can. Call that friend that can always make you laugh. Try an early bedtime. Disconnect from electronic devices at least 30 minutes before your bedtime.

If your loved ones don’t know what to buy you for a gift this holiday season, perhaps you suggest a gift card to a local spa. Schedule a massage to help you relax and rejuvenate. Just know that spending money is not required for restoration, there are so many free self-care practices available.

Self-care helps you to realize you are worthy of a life with fulfillment, joy and balance.  It helps to differentiate between when you need to take better care of yourself and when you truly need to ask for help from free or paid resources.

Don’t give up! If the first routine isn’t the right flow, keep trying, and customize your routines to your needs not anyone else's desires or schedule.

Eventually, you’ll find a way to give your mind, body, and spirit exactly the care they need.

For more information or to schedule a wellness consultation please visit our website.

-K

https://www.SymphonyCareManagement.com/consultation