The holiday season is a time where our focus zooms in on other people. We can tend to forget about ourselves during these busy weeks. Here are 12 ideas of ways to give back to yourself. Choose one or two to really hone in on, and give back to yourself!
On the first day of Christmas I gave myself: 8 hours of sleep
Did you know that sleep deprivation can cause you to hold on to extra weight and it’s linked with increased blood pressure? Give yourself the gift of ample sleep time and enjoy the rest.
On the second day of Christmas I gave myself: Hydration
Staying hydrated is important and vital for all of our body’s functions. Whatever you are doing, try to make it a habit to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Aim for half your body weight in ounces, or at least a little more than you’re currently drinking.
On the third day of Christmas I gave myself: Nourishing Foods
It is especially challenging to stay on top of eating your veggies and fruits during December. Balance out your holiday favorites with some healthy, nourishing foods. A great place to start is including at least one serving with each meal.
On the fourth day of Christmas I gave myself: A moment of peace
Deep breathing can come into handy if you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed. Breathing can also help reduce stress levels and bring you back into equilibrium. If you find yourself in a pickle, try breathing in for a 4 second count, and then breathing out for a 4 second count. Repeat several times until you feel better.
On the fifth day of Christmas I gave myself: A break from scrolling on the phone
Put the phone down and give your eyes, and brain, and break! Our culture has become addicted to social media and scrolling, which can impede on our sleep and low key cause your stress levels to heighten. If you need some extra motivation, watch the Netflix documentary: The social delima. That will get you to rethink your scroll.
On the sixth day of Christmas I gave myself: Daily movement
There’s nothing better than moving the body and releasing some endorphins. Movement can be anything you want it to be- whether that involves household chores, walking, or dancing. Pick something that you truly enjoy and give yourself the gift of moving your body.
On the seventh day of Christmas I gave myself: Gratitude
Having a gratitude practice can come into handy, especially when you’re triggered. Can you think of five things right now that you’re grateful for?
On the eighth day of Christmas I gave myself: Self-care
What’s better than a little “me” time in the midst of everything going on this holiday season? Whatever your self-care routine looks like, allow yourself to actually take time to enjoy it (even if it’s only 10-15 minutes)
On the ninth day of Christmas I gave myself: A new idea
Try something new. Whether that is a new hobby or workout class, allow yourself to step into something that would enhance your well-being. What things do you like to do? What do you enjoy? This could be a cooking class, an art class, or maybe some fun home projects!
On the tenth day of Christmas I gave myself: A clean out
I invite you to clean out whatever does not serve you. A closet, under the bed, your desk, and anything else that may seem cluttered. Make space for the new and donate the rest! Notice clothing you haven’t worn in years, or unopened mail that has been sitting on your desk for months. What needs to be cleaned out this holiday season?
On the eleventh day of Christmas I gave myself: Permission to eat, permission not to eat
The holidays can be a time where we feel enormous pressure to eat extra foods, and then guilt when we do. Take a moment before your next treat to check in. Do I really want this? If so, enjoy it. If not, don’t feel bad for saying no.
On the twelfth day of Christmas I gave myself: Self-compassion & self-love
Say kind things to yourself and be forgiving. We are our worst critics, so I encourage you to notice the negative self-talk and replace it with kind words, thoughts, and actions. The best gift is loving yourself and letting go of perfectionism.