Easy self-care for the holiday season ⋆ Ok, Dani

Listen.

You're doing a great job.

You are appreciated.

You don't have to go crazy this holiday season. Christmas is in just a few days. I know you feel pressured, stressed, have a to-do list a mile long and are letting your anxiety get the best of you.

I need you to know that it's okay to take a step back and relax. It's okay to ask for help, delegate, and automate without guilt. I need you to know that your health, well-being and self-care are more important than anything else right now.

The world won't end if you don't get those cards in the mail or your entire gift list for Santa. Your life won't implode if you buy pre-made foods and opt out of certain holiday parties. Save your sanity mom.

This season is very difficult for me since I lost my sweet little brother at Christmas 2016. I'm doing my best to stay upbeat and “in the spirit” of my kids, but I'd be lying if I said it doesn't take crazy effort and intention.

I am paying special attention to my self-care. I dedicate myself to yoga, I listen to my body when I need to just curl up and rest in bed or distract myself with a book or a horrible reality show, I take time to meditate and stretch, and I am avoiding things that I know will trigger me.

Here are some self-care tips to remember during this hellish… I mean… holiday season:

Do you remember sleeping? It's that thing you used to do before you were kids. You may have done it once or twice on your last vacation, or that time you had the flu. Many people do it every night. You can too!

Seriously, be sure to rest this time of year. Staying up until dawn wrapping or baking, comparing wish list items at various online stores, cleaning the guest room for incoming family… Yes, it's important. But not more important than your health. Sleeping well is essential to functioning well during the day. If you want to be present with that family coming to town, go to bed and take care of the guest room another time. When all else fails at night, take a nap during the day!

Get Christmas dinner groceries delivered through Instacart or Shipt, heck, prepare all the food at your local grocery store or restaurant and just pick it up. Treat yourself to a house cleaning, let the kids decorate (and don't micromanage), or hire that service too.

Basically, outsource what you can and do it guilt-free. Consider it your Christmas gift to yourself. Free up that time to spend with the kids who are climbing the walls, or take a nap before you have to deal with your in-laws… whatever.

This can be a walk outside or a dance party for one in your room. Take your favorite class at the gym or just workout on YouTube (I love the fitnessblender channel). Get your body moving! Bonus points if it's outdoors so you can benefit from the fresh air and vitamin D at the same time. But even if it's indoors, in total darkness, move your body. The endorphin pump will help you handle holiday stress and lack of time.

Please don't let the M word scare you. This doesn't have to be a Zen, Buddha-like experience sitting on a pillow on the floor in front of a candle. (But it can be, if that sounds delicious to you!) Take a moment to focus on your breathing and you'll be in meditation mode. You can do this anywhere. At home, on the subway, at work, shopping, at a red light, wherever! Simply relax your shoulders (because you know Christmas anxiety has them right under your ears) and watch yourself inhale and exhale.

Try box breathing where you inhale for a count of 4, hold your breath for 4, exhale for a count of 4, and then hold your breath for 4 again. Repeat until you feel like an angel. 🙂

You can also simply close your eyes and breathe normally while focusing on the path the air takes in and out of your body. The key is to relax and breathe. That's easy, right?

….don't hurt yourself now. I mean the word “NO”. Feel free to say no to anything you don't want in your current experience! Don't you want to organize Christmas dinner? Say no. Offer to bring a plate to whoever is hosting. Don't want to be the office's Secret Santa? Say “no, thank you” without feeling guilty. Don't want to send Christmas cards to everyone? No! It's not illegal to opt out of the little Christmas traditions that stress you out.

Reminder: It is not a complete sentence. You don't owe anyone any reason for declining their invitation or request.

Try putting a few glasses of water between the eggnog and the hot toddies, would you? Seriously, don't forget to drink water and eat healthy during this time. I know how easy it is to get caught up in running errands, finishing up business matters, attending children's concerts, etc., and you simply forget to eat and can't remember the last time you had a glass of water. Please don't let this be you this year. You need to stay hydrated and energized so you can deal with the fifty-eleven things you felt too guilty to delegate like I told you in tip number 2! (Use this to get your H20)

YOUR PRIORITY IS YOU

Do not forget!!

Please take care of yourself this holiday season.

This is the time of year when people get colds, flus, tension headaches and migraines. There are many things happening. It's tremendously stressful! If, like me, you are prone to stress-induced headaches, make sure you have Over-the-counter pain relievers available this season. (literally, available: this looks strange but it works)

If you are feeling especially depressed or lonely during this time, PLEASE talk to someone. If you don't have anyone you trust to talk to, THIS POST has many numbers you can call. and share your feelings for free and don't get any judgment about it.

I'm here if you need me. And I really mean it with all my cold, black heart. @thedanifaust on Instagram and @daniellefaust on Facebook.