Let’s face it. The holidays can be many things. Exciting, charming, heart-warming, bonding but for many people, it can be a little too much a little too often. Don’t worry. It’s not just you, it’s all of us. Even the most organized person can feel overwhelmed by the holiday season. During times where your to-do list seems to exceed your grocery bills and the only me-time is spent either sleeping or showering, it’s important to realize that you are bigger than what’s making you anxious. Not just during this merry season, but pretty much always.
Whether you’re worried about cooking up the perfect Christmas feast for your in-laws or whether you’ll find the right gift for your aunt Margaret, remember that life would be pretty boring if perfect. We’ve gathered our favorite tips to refuel your batteries before, during and after the holiday season. Now, go on and be all kinds of merry.
Planning is the gift that keeps on giving
If you’re anything like me, holiday planning is not exactly part of your daily repertoire. While it sounds like a great idea on paper (spoiler alert: it is), the reality involves more than waving around to-do lists and sharing calendar invites with distant relatives. It seems like a Mount Everest-worthy hike that’s too high to climb. Especially considering life keeps racing at full Ferrari speed and the Christmas countdown shows no signs of slowing down. What you need to be is ahead of the game, just a few inches is all it takes for you to be more experienced and therefore ready for whatever Christmas & co throw your way.
From pinning recipe boards to slowly orchestrating your travel schedule, small steps carry the heavy holiday load. If you’re hosting this year around, start your food prep well in advance. Things like sweet potato mash or cranberry sauce can be whipped up to perfection and stored in everyone’s favorite friend – the freezer. Don’t be afraid to ask family and friends to bring side dishes and desserts or ask them to join in on the fun.
Lean on friends & family
We’re all in this together. And even though that might sound a bit dramatic, everything feels better when you have the safety blanket that is your friends and family around. The holidays can throw even the most organized person off their usual flow and that’s okay. In fact, it’s pretty normal. The expenses, time management, endless lists and don’t get us started about nailing the table settings.
Who knew what a slippery slope that could be? If you’re in doubt, talk to somebody. Anybody. A brother, a parent, a friend, an aunt or even a colleague at work. Chances are they’re struggling just the same as you. Getting these things off your chest is half the work.
All you need for Christmas is meditation
We’ve discussed the benefits of meditation more times than we can count. And we stand by that. Taking a daily or weekly moment to meditate can be life-changing, to say the least. It’s free and the return always outweighs the investment. When you incorporate a little bit of meditation in your holiday routine, you’ll feel more grounded. Those moments of much-needed solitude will prepare you for the holiday tornado ahead.
One of our favorite ways to meditate is with a few drops of rosemary and cedarwood filling the room with the help of our nifty diffuser. We always say ‘If you can’t go to the spa, bring the spa to you’. These definitely smell the part.
Me-time before we-time
There’s no time like the Holidays when you could do with a full set of batteries. Let’s be honest, the only time you’re alone during the holiday season is probably when you’re sleeping (or in the bathroom of course). Well, we’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to be this way. Whether it’s five minutes or fifteen, it’s those little moments that make all the difference.
You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. Relax with a soothing cup of chamomile tea before taking a long and well-deserved bath with our Soul Soak Bath Set. If grapefruit (mood-balancing), lavender (relaxing) and a healthy dose of Epsom salt (detoxifying) don’t tickle your unwinding fancy, we don’t know what does.
Indulge in moderation
One of everyone’s favorite things about the holiday season is the food. Rich, slightly decadent and always overflowing. There’s a sort of child-like joy in eating everything that comes your way across the dinner table. You should enjoy it but always in moderation. There is too much of a good thing. And your body won’t be thanking you after devouring the pumpkin pie leftovers post-Thanksgiving feast. Try to eat smaller portions and focus on the good stuff. Oven-roasted vegetables and lean turkey breasts are as delicious as they are healthy but don’t forget to indulge in some stuffing and gravy too. Do what makes you (and your stomach) feel good.
