As a family, business owner, couple, or all of the above, your time is valuable. You have to juggle so many demands and deadlines that it can be difficult to find the time for self care. But you need to make time! Self care is important because it helps us stay focused on our goals while also providing us with an escape from the stress of everyday life. Let’s explore why self care is essential and how to make it work in your lifestyle.
The Benefits of Self Care
Self care isn’t just about pampering yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed — it should be an essential part of your daily routine. Taking time out for yourself means making sure that your physical and mental health are taken care of in order to lead a healthier life overall. Self care can improve your sleep quality, boost creativity, increase productivity, reduce stress levels, and lower the risk of burnout.
Making Time For Self Care
The first step towards implementing self-care into your life is recognizing what activities help you relax and recharge. Once you know what works best for you personally — whether it’s yoga, journaling, drawing, or something else entirely — establish a regular schedule for these activities that works around your other obligations. Remember that even short breaks throughout the day can add up over time and help contribute to better wellbeing overall. Make sure that everyone in your family knows that you take this time seriously — set boundaries so that there is no interruption during those moments where you are taking care of yourself.
Don’t Forget About Your Relationships
Sometimes when we focus on taking care of ourselves we forget about our relationships with others — but relationships are part of self-care too! Prioritizing quality time with friends and family members can go a long way in helping us feel more connected and fulfilled in our lives. Whether it’s meeting up for coffee or video chatting every week — carve out some space for connecting with people who matter to you most. This will help keep things balanced as well as offer an opportunity to talk through any issues or concerns with someone else who cares about you deeply.
Self Care During the Holidays
The holidays are a time of joy, cheer, and family get-togethers. It can also be a magical time for some, and an anxiety-ridden chaos for others. Sometimes the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations can be overwhelming and leave us feeling down in the dumps. If you’re feeling a little blue this season, don’t despair! We have some tips and practical advice on how you can make it through these winter months unscathed – both mentally and financially – so put away that eggnog , take our tips to heart, and enjoy this joyous time of year!
Take Time for Self-Care SE
It’s easy to get caught up in the gift-buying frenzy that is part and parcel of the holiday season. Before you know it, you’ve spent more than you intended and you’re too exhausted from all the shopping to enjoy yourself. Take a step back from all the madness and remind yourself to take care of yourself first. Schedule some time each week just for you—whether it’s going for a walk around your neighborhood with a leisurely stroll or soaking in an indulgent hot bath while listening to some relaxing music—so that when December 25 rolls around, you’re ready to enjoy it with friends and family! So this festive season can really become jolly: Make self-care part of your HoHoHoliday plan today!
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
No matter what kind of budget you have, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to buy everyone the perfect gift. But remember: You don’t have to break the bank buying presents for everyone! Instead of buying lots of small gifts, focus on one or two special items that will really show how much thought went into them. This also applies if you’re hosting any holiday parties this year: Rather than try to do too much (and risk getting overwhelmed), focus instead on creating an intimate atmosphere where people can relax and enjoy themselves without being bombarded by decorations or activities.
Be Kind To Yourself
Perhaps most importantly, be kind to yourself during this hectic time of year. It’s easy to beat ourselves up over things we didn’t get done or feel guilty about not being able to give as much as we’d like this holiday season. Remind yourself that there’s no such thing as perfection—especially during this time of year—and that it’s OK if everything isn’t perfect this Christmas! And if all else fails, take comfort in knowing that spring is right around the corner!
The holidays are a wonderful time of year, but they can also be stressful and overwhelming if we let them be. Remembering our self-care needs is key when it comes beating those winter blues; focusing on quality over quantity when doing our shopping; and being kinder than usual with ourselves should help us make it through this festive season unscathed (and maybe even happy!) no matter who we are celebrating with or what our budget looks like! Happy Holidays!
Candice Journey Johnson is a couples and personal branding photographer based in Clovis, NM. Read more of her blogs here: https://journeyfreephotography.com/blog/
December 16, 2022