Practicing self-care during the holidays will go a long way to protecting your health. You will have more energy, feel calmer and more prepared to take on the hustle and bustle of the season. Plus, it just might inspire you with some new habits and self-love into the New Year and beyond.
7 simple ways to care for yourself over the holidays
- Focus on what you should eat, not what you shouldn’t. If you make healthy choices the majority of the time, you most certainly can have that holiday cookie or cocktail. Remember if you overdid it with food or alcohol today, tomorrow is always a chance to get back on track with habits that make you feel your best. Also keep in mind that excess sugar, alcohol, and processed foods can potentially intensify your menopause symptoms, so all things in moderation.
- Practice gratitude. Studies show that gratitude is strongly associated with greater health and happiness. Being mindful of the good things in our lives, and giving thanks for those that bring those good things to us are key to practicing gratitude. You can get started by keeping a gratitude journal where you capture what you are thankful for each day. Or pick a day of the week where you write about three to five good things that have come your way.
- Keep moving. The hustle and bustle of the holidays may feel like a workout all its own, but tis the season to stick with your exercise routine. Daily movement helps to boost your energy, relieve stress and anxiety, and can also help you burn some of those extra calories you may be consuming this time of year. It doesn’t need to be a long formal workout at the gym. It can be 10 minutes walking the dog, 10 minutes shoveling snow, 15 minutes stretching while watching a holiday flick. It all counts!
- Get some rest. Take time to rest from all the holiday nuttiness. Check in with your current sleep habits. If you’re feeling tired and rundown, listen to your body and go to bed a little earlier or opt out of the late holiday party if you aren’t feeling it. Remember, the way you care for yourself shows others how to care for you too.
- Take your vitamins. Sometimes we can forget our vitamins or other supplements during the busyness of the season. Keep them in plain sight and consider “piggy-backing” your supplement routine with another daily habit such as brushing your teeth or washing your face. Your daily vitamin not only helps to boost your immunity, but also supports your energy throughout the day.
- Gift yourself some care. The holidays are a great excuse to treat yourself right. What better way to slow down the holiday rush than to go for a relaxing massage, visit the hair salon, give yourself a manicure, or simply reserve the time to finally do something you have been meaning to do. When you take good care of YOU, it’s so much easier (and enjoyable) to show up for others during the holiday season.
- Be Intentional. Get the most out of the holidays by asking yourself what’s most important to you this year. Being intentional about who you want to visit with, what traditions you want to uphold, or what holiday activities you want to pursue, will help you stay focused on what matters to you the most, and help you find joy in the holidays. Don’t be afraid to politely decline an invitation or a holiday event that feels obligatory. Let’s take as much stress out of the season as we can.
Not just during the holidays, but all year through, it’s important to listen to your body. Rest when you are tired, be sure to nourish yourself when hungry and slow down and reconnect with yourself mentally and emotionally when things feel harried.
Need help in practicing self-care? Our menopause specialists are experts in lifestyle change management, and will help you create a self-care plan personalized just for you. They will act as your knowledgeable guide, and provide the accountability that makes your new healthy habits part of your everyday lifestyle.
The information on the Gennev site is never meant to replace the care of a qualified medical professional. Hormonal shifts throughout menopause can prompt a lot of changes in your body, and simply assuming something is “just menopause” can leave you vulnerable to other possible causes. Always consult with your physician or schedule an appointment with one of Gennev's telemedicine doctors before beginning any new treatment or therapy.
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