Self-care during the holiday season is essential for maintaining balance and reducing stress. With the hustle and bustle of holiday activities, it’s important to prioritize your well-being. Simple practices like setting boundaries and taking time for yourself can make a big difference. Incorporating self-care during the holiday season helps you stay grounded and enjoy the festivities more fully.
- Slow Down and Reflect on Achievements
- Create a Holiday Self-Care Blueprint
- Practice Mindfulness and Positive Self-Talk
- Disconnect and Keep a Gratitude Journal
- Schedule Time for Relaxation and Reflection
- Relax, Recharge and Reflect
- Be Your Own Santa
- Prioritize Rest and Reflect on Growth
- Balance Downtime with Reflection
- Disconnect and Reflect on the Year
Slow Down and Reflect on Achievements
The holidays are a perfect time to slow down, reflect on your achievements, and invest in your well-being, all while enjoying the season’s joys. Over the years, my experience as a business owner and certified arborist has taught me the value of balance. For instance, one year, I made a conscious effort to schedule family time amidst a busy December. I planned simple but meaningful activities like decorating the house, enjoying outdoor hikes, and hosting a small gathering. These moments not only strengthened my family bonds but also gave me the clarity to reflect on the growth of my business and set goals for the year ahead.
Amaury Ponce, Business Owner, Ponce Tree Services
Create a Holiday Self-Care Blueprint
Enjoying the holidays while caring for yourself and reflecting on the past year starts with intentionality. It’s important to strike a balance between celebrating and taking the time to realign with your personal and professional goals. One approach I always recommend is creating a “holiday self-care blueprint.” This includes scheduling moments to connect with loved ones, carving out quiet time to reflect on your achievements and challenges, and identifying areas where you want to grow. A great example of this in action comes from a client I worked with in the UAE who ran a fast-growing event management company. She was overwhelmed by the holiday season, torn between client demands and her personal life. Using my coaching techniques, honed through years of working with hundreds of business owners, I helped her prioritize by developing a clear holiday plan. This plan included boundaries for work, dedicated family time, and a gratitude journal for year-end reflection. The result was a stress-free holiday where she felt both present and prepared for the year ahead.
Ronald Osborne, Founder, Ronald Osborne Business Coach
Practice Mindfulness and Positive Self-Talk
For me, self-care during this period involves stepping back and practicing mindfulness. While it’s easy to get overwhelmed, focusing on the present with gratitude can help. I often recommend setting small, intentional goals, such as spending quality time with family, which brings both relaxation and meaning.
To reflect on the past year, I find it helpful to incorporate positive self-talk and celebrate even small achievements. Just as we’ve seen success with our clothing line, acknowledging these wins can boost morale. Additionally, using gratitude as a daily practice helps maintain a hopeful outlook.
Jacob Coyne, Founder, Stay Here
Disconnect and Keep a Gratitude Journal
During the holidays, I make it a point to disconnect from work for at least a few days to recharge. I try to limit my screen time and spend more time outdoors, whether it’s going for a walk or having a BBQ with family and friends.
To reflect on the past year, I keep a simple gratitude journal, where I jot down key moments I’m thankful for, both professionally and personally. It helps me put the year into perspective and set intentions for the new one. I’ve learned that slowing down during this time, even if just for a few days, is essential for re-energizing both body and mind.
Matt Little, Founder & Managing Director, Festoon House
Schedule Time for Relaxation and Reflection
To enjoy the holidays while taking care of myself, I make sure to schedule time for both relaxation and reflection. I try to balance social events with moments of quiet, like taking walks or reading. Reflecting on the past year, I like to spend some time thinking about what went well and what I’ve learned, maybe by journaling or chatting with close friends. It helps me feel more grounded and grateful. By setting some personal boundaries, like limiting work or avoiding too many commitments, I can enjoy the festivities without feeling overwhelmed. It’s about finding that balance between celebrating and taking care of myself.
Adnan Jiwani, Assistant Manager Digital Marketing, PureVPN
Relax, Recharge and Reset
For me, the holidays are about finding balance-enjoying the time off while also reflecting on the year. I take time to relax and recharge, usually by spending quality time with family or taking a short getaway.
To reflect, I look back on both personal milestones and professional achievements, assessing what went well and what I could do differently. I also make sure to plan some time for self-care, whether that’s working out or having some quiet time to myself. This balance helps me reset and come back to work with a clear mind and renewed energy for the new year.
Spencer Romenco, Chief Growth Strategist, Growth Spurt
Be Your Own Santa
The holidays can be a time to share, come together with family, and to remember those who are no longer with us. However, there can be a lot of stress this time of year due to the holiday hustle and bustle, grief over lost loved ones, loneliness, spoken or unspoken holiday expectations, or family dysfunction that can arise during this time.
In order to ensure that you enjoy the holidays while taking care of yourself and reflecting on the past year, remember:
You Are Your Own Santa
Don’t overlook your own personal time or other “self-care” measures. You may need to set aside time for yourself so that you can simply enjoy your own company. This can include having to turn down certain invitations, being more mindful of what you value, or something as simple as a bubble bath or yoga.
Eat The Pie In Pieces
At times, the holiday season can bring with it a healthy serving of distractions and tasks. From buying gifts for friends and family to decorating for the holidays, the number of tasks that need to be done can seem overwhelming at a glance. Instead of trying to “eat the pie” in one sitting, “eat the pie” piece by piece.
There Will Be Leftovers
The holiday season will impact you, in the same way that there will always be leftovers after a feast. It’s an inevitable part of the holiday rush that we may end the season with some hurt feelings, missed opportunities, or things we wished could have been different.
Understanding that there will be bumps in the road ahead, you’re better prepared for them. Let yourself feel. It’s normal to be angry, sad, or feel happiness at times.
Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW-S, LPC-S, Psychotherapist/CEO, Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW-S, LPC-S & Associates
Prioritize Rest and Reflect on Growth
The holidays are a perfect time for me to focus on self-care and reflection. I make sure to prioritize rest, something that’s often overlooked during the rest of the year. I schedule time for yoga, meditation, and nature walks to keep my body and mind relaxed.
To reflect on the past year, I set aside an hour or so to journal my professional achievements and personal growth. This reflection helps me appreciate how far I’ve come and identify areas I want to focus on in the next year. I also spend time with family, as these moments help me reconnect and recharge my energy for the year ahead.
Maria Knobel, Medical Director, Medical Cert UK
Balance Downtime with Reflection
During the holidays, I make a conscious effort to balance downtime with reflection. I always take a few days completely off, disconnecting from emails and work, which allows me to recharge. I also take time to reflect on the past year – what went well and what I can improve on, both personally and professionally. A lot of that reflection happens when I’m with family or friends, sharing experiences and reconnecting. I find that taking moments for personal reflection, whether it’s a quiet morning with coffee or a long walk, really helps me set clear intentions for the upcoming year.
Oliver Morrisey, Owner, Director, Empower Wills & Estate Lawyers
Disconnect and Reflect on the Year
The holidays are a great opportunity to reflect, but I also think it’s important to take care of yourself. I prioritize taking time off to truly disconnect from work, which is tough given how demanding the financial sector can be. I also take a walk or hike, just to get outside and clear my mind. It’s a great way to reflect on the past year and what I’ve learned. The holidays also allow me to spend time with loved ones and focus on things outside of work, which helps me reset and return to the new year with a fresh perspective and energy.
Austin Rulfs, Founder, SME Business Investor, Property & Finance Specialist, Zanda Wealth
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