How to Practise Self-Care During the Festive Season
This festive season might start to seem a little more familiar to many of us, with more of us travelling and opening up our homes to visitors to celebrate the end of the year. However, after 2 years into this pandemic, we might have forgotten how overwhelming the festive season can actually be. Opening up your home and yourself to people can be stressful after being out of practice. Here’s how you can practice self-care during the festive to ensure that you don’t burn out before the year ends.
Take It Slow
It might be tempting to immediately invite all your friends and family that you have been away from to your home. If you’re not careful, you might put a huge amount of pressure on yourself to make sure that your gatherings go well and are enjoyable enough for your loved ones. The stress of it might end up making you feel worse, instead of happy, like you’re supposed to feel around your loved ones.
Don’t be obligated to host huge festive parties for your friends. If you’re out of practice, the first step is to admit it, and then prioritise. You can start small this year, and slowly work your way up to bigger groups and more gatherings as the year goes by.
Set Boundaries
Too much of a good thing can be bad for you: a universal truth that applies to every situation. It’s important for you recognise when to draw the line, whether it’s the amount of food and drink you consume or even the time that your guests can stay until. We’ve all had times where we were too shy to get our guests to leave even though we were absolutely exhausted.
Don’t succumb to pressure to consume and host beyond your capabilities just because it’s the festive season. Social fatigue is very real and can be hard to recover from. Listen to your mind and body, and set some boundaries accordingly.
Adjust Your Expectations
Sometimes your festive party or holiday doesn’t look exactly like the ones that you pinned on to your Pinterest board, and that’s okay. Things might not always work out and it’s important to not let yourself fixate on comparison, especially with your friends on Instagram.
Live in the moment and turn any missteps as opportunities to make precious memories with your loved ones. Remember the true meaning of the holiday season and enjoy your break to the fullest.
Go Back to Basics
The holiday season may largely be about celebrating with loved ones, but it also serves as a time for you to recharge and rejuvenate for the new year ahead. Take some time out for yourself to reflect on the year that has passed, and your goals for the new year.
Engage in your favourite self-care practices, whether its physical, mental, intellectual or social. Focus on unwinding from the year’s stress and ensure that you’re well-rested and re-energised to face the upcoming year.