The holiday season is a time full of fun, laughter, and a bit of stress. That’s why it’s essential to continue practicing self care, even when our holiday to-do list is keeping us busy. We’ve outlined five simple ways to keep you grounded and peaceful this month and beyond.
Know Where You’re Headed
Lewis Carroll famously said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” Having goals and a plan for how to obtain them are essential in every aspect of life, including physical, financial, and personal achievements. It’s important to dedicate time to think about what you want, write it down, and develop a plan to get there. Studies also show visualization is a useful tool for helping to obtain goals. Spend some quiet time visualizing what your life will look like when you achieve your greatest desires. It will even help you to adjust your roadmap for getting there.
Review Your Finances
Much like goal setting, you can’t develop a plan for your financial future unless you know exactly where you are today. With the holidays ramping up, it’s essential to outline a budget to spend on gifts, décor, and other treats. No one wants to look at their expenses come January, only to realize they racked up debt in December. Speaking of the New Year, now is also a good time to review monthly costs like utilities, groceries and TV subscriptions, so you can see where to cut back and save for your future.
Squeeze In Meditation Time
A short meditation can seem like a luxury when there’s too much going on, but studies show even 10 minutes of guided meditation can enable you to shift your perspective so you can view life with more calm and focus. Next time you surf the internet, pull up a free meditation video and take a test-run of this easy self-care hack you can do anywhere.
Always Move Toward Wellness
Though holiday stress can derail even the most devoted exercisers, now is the time to stick to your health routine. Exercise like yoga, biking, and jogging can be extremely beneficial. It’s also important to eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep. Not only will this maintain your physical health, but it will also keep your mind clear to interact with your family, friends, and co-workers.
Celebrate Your Wins
Staying on track of self-care, health, and finances can seem like hard work, so remember to stop and acknowledge even your smallest wins. Did you lose two pounds this week or achieve your monthly savings goal? Congratulate yourself, and find little ways to reward yourself. It’s about the big picture. Celebrate the small wins and they’ll keep you motivated to reach your most-wanted prizes.
