December is here, and these self-care strategies will come in handy in fighting off holiday stress! This is the final month of 2020; the long-awaited end to quite the year!

For many this is the light at the end of what felt like a very long tunnel. Despite the uncertainty of what will transpire in 2021, the enthusiasm for the new year comes from the hope that is will offer relief to the heaviness of 2020. 

Even without COVID, December is notoriously a busy month preparing for the Winter holidays and closing out the final quarter of the calendar year. It can be easy to put personal needs aside, where there is so much emphasis on doing for others. Self-care is always important, but when life speeds up, self-care becomes critical. Avoid stretching yourself too thin, compromising your immune health and increasing your stress levels during the most magical time of year. 

Self-care Strategies for December:

1. Aim for 8-12 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Many of the holiday festivities include favorite, traditional meals that are rich and extravagant. Striving for more vegetables means adds nutrition and fiber to offset the indulgences. 

2. Sending holiday cards has taken on new meaning.  Connection is so important, and for many it is one of the things that is missing. Making time to send a holiday card or a hand written note reminds you of the meaningful relationships you have in your life. 

3. More time inside means more time for crafting, art and creating.  This is the time to explore any creative outlets possible to avoid countless hours bingeing Netflix or scrolling social. Consider making some of your holiday gifts instead of buying. Access online crafting resources through craft stores or YouTube. 

4. Get outside.  Even if it means bundling up because of colder temperatures, getting outdoors and breathing fresh air is important for your physical and emotional health. 

5. Attempt a new recipe once a week. When life gets busy it can become too easy to order out for lunch and pick up dinner on the way home. Commit to cooking at home one night a week, and consider recipes that are heavier with vegetables and whole foods. It is important to offset some of the seasonal indulgences. Cooking stimulates creativity, and can promote at-home learning for the little ones in the household. Portion out any leftovers to pack for lunch!

6. Use more features on your phone - in a very intentional way!  Use alarms in a whole new way; set an alarm for a personal timeout. Use this time for you, however it feels right. Sneak outside for a ten minute walk, complete a deep breathing exercise, hide in the bathroom and read, grab a coffee - just be sure to honor the time for yourself. 
Another way of using alarms is to schedule your time to stop notifications by a certain time. Finally, consider setting an alarm to help keep a consistent sleep/wake cycle. Quality rest will help keep you at your best.

7. Sit by a fire and sip a warm beverage. There is warmth from the inside out. Staring into a fire sets a picturesque way to be with yourself and your thoughts. 

8. Record your memories in a special journal. The simplest moments are often the most magical. Carving out ten minutes each day to record those special times will create a keepsake to cherish in years to come.  

Small pockets of time can offer a breath of calm needed to keep you present and sane despite everything going on around you.