7 WAYS TO PRACTICE RADICAL SELF LOVE DURING THE HOLIDAYS
This time of year is magical, but with all the joy this season brings it can also bring an equal amount of stress. The calendar is jam packed with obligations, the airports and malls are chaos, indulging replaces healthy diets, and normal budgets go out the window in the spirit of giving.Here are some tips on how you can practice radical self love during the holidays:
Tap into how you want to feel
Get in touch with how you want to feel this season. Do you want to feel connected to your family and friends? Does feeling connected come from small gatherings as opposed to large ones? Do you want to feel comfort? Does feeling comfort come from quiet evenings snuggled up with your honey on the sofa in front of the fire enjoying a bottle of Pinot Noir? Do you want to feel energized? Maybe crowds, parties and dressing to the nines makes you feel this way. Ask yourself, “How do I want to feel this holiday season?” Listen, trust and honor the answer(s).
Say NO!
I am a big advocate of saying no and the holiday season is no exception. Don’t feel obligated to say yes to every party request or invitation. It’s ok to say no. If the invitation feels like a huge yes, then say yes! If it feels draining and like it will just add more stress, it’s OK to say no. If saying an outright no is out of the question, give a gentle no and pair it with a counter offer of getting together in the New Year.
Give to yourself
This is the season of giving, but we often give too much to others and not enough to ourselves. This leaves us tired, overwhelmed and over committed which causes stress. Give to yourself this season and schedule self-care on the calendar. In pen! It could be a massage, a facial, time to read a book, do nothing, take a bath or an afternoon walk in the woods. Think rest, rejuvenation and relaxation. Ask yourself, “What do I need?” And then do it!
Be prepared & don't eat the pie
Regular schedules get interrupted and so do healthy eating habits. If you have special dietary needs make sure you go to parties or the airport prepared. For example, I don’t eat gluten and it’s easy to avoid in my normal day to day routine, but on Thanksgiving there were pies everywhere. I love pie! I’m ashamed to admit, but I caved in and had some. The result was feeling like shit, breaking out and a total shame hangover. If I was prepared and brought a gluten free desert of some kind the whole thing could have been avoided. Be prepared, whatever that means for you!
B is for budget!
There may be pressure to spend too much money this holiday season. Remember tip #2, say no? It can also be applied here. Stick to a budget. This may mean getting crafty with gift giving. Thoughtful gifts and experiences are more meaningful than purchased items. It may mean wearing last year’s dress, but revamping it with new jewelry. It may even mean saying no to costly nights out on the town. Over spending will leave you with a serious financial hangover and credit card debt is not worth it. There’s always another way.
Binge drinking is NOT sexy!
Unfortunately this season supports drinking, and a lot of it. I’m all for celebrating with a few glasses of wine or champagne, but I do not support binge drinking in anyway. It’s unhealthy for the soul and can give you a wicked hangover which we’re trying to avoid! What is the why behind your drinking? Are you celebrating a toast one New Year’s Eve? Do you want to feel comfortable in a social setting? Or are you trying to mask the unhappiness you feel within? Just think about and act responsibly.
Love yourself!
What do all of these tips have in common? They’re rooted in self-love. Make sure when you’re loving others this holiday that you include yourself in that love whatever that may mean to you, just love yourself.
Ho, ho, ho ... emily