For many, the holidays represent fun, festivity and excitement, but for others, the season creates its fair share of stress too. Impending deadlines, year-end reconciliations, unfinished projects or incomplete goals add to an already long to-do list—this on top of gift giving, holiday travel and family visits. With so much to do, it’s no wonder that many of us feel overwhelmed. That said, the holidays are here to remind us to slow down, take a moment to breathe and enjoy time with our loved ones.

Taking the time to relax and rest your mind and body are vital to your well-being and an important way to prevent or combat burnout. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose interest and motivation. If burnout gets bad enough, it can extend from your work life to your personal life and sap energy in all areas.

To avoid burnout, time off, relaxation and reflection are essential. But that requires self-care, which can manifest itself differently from one individual to the next. To prevent the holiday blues from rearing their ugly head, here are some ideas to help you practice self-care during the holidays and make the most of the season.

Holiday Self-Care Suggestions

1. Maintain your personal routines. Get enough sleep, eat well and continue to exercise so that you operate at your best.
2. Read a book or watch a movie. Give yourself permission to disconnect from work and other responsibilities.
3. Plan some alone time. Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, taking time for yourself can be essential to help you recharge.
4. Spend time outside. Enjoy being in nature and savor the fresh air. Time in nature has been proven to bring many health benefits including reducing blood pressure, stress and symptoms of depression and anxiety.
5. Reflect on the year’s accomplishments and changes with positivity. We get an endorphin release when we think about the things we have done well. Keeping a positive outlook and attitude helps us become happier and get more out of life.
6. Tap into your creativity. Whether it’s building a gingerbread house, taking an art class or picking up a previously abandoned craft project, creative endeavors are an excellent way to decompress. Even better, they can help improve mental health and boost your immune system.
7. Embrace time with loved ones, and take stock of the present. No one is perfect, but we can all be grateful for the opportunities to connect and build memories with those who are important to us.
8. Listen to your favorite music, and take the time to discover new favorites. Research shows that listening to music can help regulate emotions. In addition, it encourages relaxation and improves your mood. Trade the television for music this holiday season.
9. Celebrate your favorite holiday traditions or create new ones. Cultural and family traditions solidify our sense of identity, reinforce shared values and remind us to be grateful.
10. Travel or explore your surrounding city. Play tourist in your own town with a neighborhood walking tour, a visit to a museum or even a visit to a local landmark. 

Enjoy the Holidays

The holidays don’t need to be time of frenzy. Think about what’s important, and make a conscious decision to embrace every moment with friends and family. Practicing self-care is key to enjoying the holidays in good health, both mentally and physically. So when making your list (and checking it twice), be sure to add yourself and self-care to your holiday to-dos. Happy holidays from Trade Press Services.