Surviving the Holiday Frenzy: the Hilarious Guide to Realistic Holiday Self-Care
iStockTis' the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la. But let's be real ... the holidays can turn us into human-sized stress balls. Holidays are wonderful, chaotic, and sometimes downright crazy. They are packed full of family, obligatory events, traditions and frantic, excessive spending. To be honest, often all I'm left with on Christmas morning is a spending hangover and a side of "I bought too much again" shame.
There's so much pressure to make them "special" and unforgettable, that the holidays often become burdensome. There is no zen during my holidays. However, I'm not going to lie. It's still one of my favorite things to experience all year ... even if it does drain my battery.
Fear not! In this roller coaster of a season, I'm your jolly guide to self-care, sprinkled with a dash of humor, a pinch of creativity, and a bucketload of sanity.
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Dance Like Nobody's Watching (Even if They Are)
In the spirit of self-care, crank up some holiday music and dance like you're auditioning for a dance-off with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Bonus points if your kitchen turns into a makeshift holiday rave while you prep that holiday feast. Remember: The more extravagant the dance moves, the more calories you burn. It's science!
Master the Art of 'No'
Repeat after me: "No, I cannot bake 300 cookies for the school bake sale, knit a sweater for the cat, and recite 'The Night Before Christmas' in seven languages." Well, we probably could, but why would we want to? Learning to say 'No' is like giving yourself a stress-free spa day, minus the cucumber slices.
Create a 'Me Time' Fortress
If the kids can have forts and your husband can disappear for countless hours in his man cave, you deserve some time alone to decompress too. Designate a corner of your home as a "Me Time" fortress. Equip it with cozy blankets, your favorite book, and a sign that reads, "Enter at Your Own Risk: Self-Care in Progress." There's no need for a moat – just a strong Wi-Fi connection.
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Laugh Until You Snort
Laughter can change everything, especially your mood. There is nothing better than a big, full-body laugh about something you truly find funny. Laughter is the ultimate stress-buster. Dive into a sea of cheesy holiday comedies or watch cat videos until your belly aches. Snorting is not only allowed but encouraged.
Give Yourself the Gift of Doing Nothing
Doing nothing is underrated. Honestly, forget the hustle. Give yourself permission to just be, maybe even take a guilt-free nap while the kids are at school. Amid the chaos, give yourself the rare and precious present of doing absolutely nothing. No to-do lists and no responsibilities. Just you, a cozy blanket, and an excuse to stare into space.
Outsource the Elf Duties
By far the biggest parenting mistake I ever made was adding to our elves when we relocated and lost the originals, because the following year, we ended up with four elves. Four elves to move around nightly and find funny escapades for them to do to entertain our children. Heaven forbid we forget, and you know we did.
Elves are overrated. This holiday season, get yourself some real-life elves and delegate like you're the CEO of the North Pole. Assign tasks, make a checklist, and watch the magic of other people doing the work. It's delegation, not laziness.
Say 'Yes' to Hydration, 'No' to Dry Skin
Life's going to get crazy this time of year, so amidst the sugar cookies and copious amounts of eggnog, remember to hydrate. Water is the unsung hero of self-care. Water really does make everything better. Keep your Stanley water bottle within arm's reach at all times to fight off the holiday dehydration monster and keep that skin glowing.
Step Back From the Frenzy
In the festive circus that is the holidays, self-care isn't a luxury. Instead, it's a survival strategy. So, throw on your imaginary superhero cape, dance your worries away, and remember: The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, not endured.
The most important thing is that you can step back out of the crazy and embrace quiet moments of togetherness. May your days be merry, your nights stress-free, and your self-care game strong.
