Are you wondering how you are going to get everything done for the upcoming holidays? If so, you are not alone. While holidays can be a significant source of stress in their own right, doing a little planning in advance to set aside some time to take care of yourself can help manage stress. The upcoming holidays can also be a great opportunity for you to reduce your stress and start the New Year with a commitment to taking care of your personal wellbeing. Check out the great ideas below on how to renew your commitment to yourself, review your schedule, and revive a relaxation activity to improve your mental health and wellbeing!
1. Renew your commitment to yourself
Renew your commitment to yourself and to your wellbeing. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, with work, family, and friends, one’s own needs can be neglected. Holidays may present an opportunity to begin focusing on your wellbeing. Start your day by committing to putting yourself first.
2. Show yourself some loving kindness
Studies show that self-compassion can improve your mental health. Learn more about it here: Self-Compassion (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website).
3. Set aside time each day to disconnect
Disconnect from emails, social media, and even answering the phone throughout the day and reconnect to the here and now. Spoil yourself with the gift of time to just be in the moment.
4. Review your schedule
Too many late nights, heavy meals, and over-committing to social activities can turn your holiday time into just another to-do list. Get ahead of your holiday schedule by taking time in advance to plan, prioritize what you would like to do, and set realistic expectations for yourself and others. You can revise your holiday schedule to suit yourself, your family, and your lifestyle. You can even choose to take a holiday from the holidays and create one with fewer activities. In the end, when you plan ahead for the holidays, it is easier to manage your stress.
5. Revive a relaxation activity
You may have tried relaxation activities, like progressive muscle relaxation (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website), deep breathing (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website), or mindfulness exercises (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website), that have been helpful in the past; but perhaps they have fallen by the wayside for one reason or another. Take some time to recall what has worked, why you enjoyed it, and how you felt afterwards. Choose one relaxation practice to incorporate in your holiday plans by putting it into your schedule. That way, if you have other obligations or invitations to respond to, you will remember that time is already booked.
Consider including the above tips for your wellbeing. You are more likely to enjoy your holidays if you can set time aside to take care of your own needs by staying committed to renewing, reviewing, and reviving yourself.
There are many other ways to improve your mental health. Here are some additional links:
- Promoting positive mental health
- Coping with stress and anxiety (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website)