10 Holiday Wellness and Self-Care Tips to Help You Through the Season

by | Nov 24, 2015 | Holiday Wellness Tips, Stress Management, Wellness Tips & Information

For many of people this week marks the beginning of a very active, exciting season. Unfortunately, in addition to all the fun and joy stress levels also tend to rise.   That makes this a perfect time to Pause for Wellness™!

As people prepare to travel, cook, and spend time with relatives, they often neglect their personal wellness.  This can lead to increased stress or even illness.  Taking care of yourself, especially during busy times, is very important. After all, you can’t give from an empty cup.  Practicing self-care will make it easier to do all those wonderful things you have planned.

Self-care involves paying attention to more than just how much you eat or exercise.  It also requires paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, expectations, and interactions. Remember: optimal health means functioning at your best in all areas of your life, not just in your body.

Putting your health and wellbeing on your “to do” list doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming. You can boost personal wellness by consistently doing simple things.   Here are some quick and easy wellness tips to use during the holiday season.

  1. Calm your mind and body by taking a few deep, centering breaths throughout the day.
  2. Have realistic expectations for yourself and for others.
  3. Don’t beat up on yourself if you eat something that isn’t very healthy.  Forgive yourself, say good-bye to guilt, and make a better choice next time.
  4. Simplify things.  The sun will come up tomorrow if you make one less dish, buy fewer presents, or use a mix instead of making something from scratch.
  5. Prioritize getting enough sleep.  Being well rested is a necessity not a luxury, especially during stressful times.  It will help you feel more energetic and help your immune system stay strong.
  6. Create new, self-supportive traditions.  For example, if you don’t feel like cooking or hosting a big dinner, make reservations at your favorite restaurant instead.
  7. Be prepared: If you know there is a strong possibility that you will have to interact with someone who is a bit challenging for you to deal with, have a strategy for maintaining healthy interactions, or for keeping a health distance.
  8. Decide what this season means for you. If you start to feel stressed, focus on what’s important.
  9. Keep  easy, healthy stress management tools nearby. Some ideas:
    1. A journal so you can write about your thoughts and feelings.
    2. Your favorite music so you can dance or sing to work off tension.
    3. Some funny cartoons.  Laughter really is great medicine.
  10. Take a quiet walk.

Be well,

Dr. Donna

© 2010 Donna Hamilton, MD

Bestselling author, dynamic holistic wellness speaker and wellness luminary Dr. Donna Hamilton, MD, has a mission to help everyone live the healthy, satisfying lives we’re all meant to lead. Dr. Hamilton passionately teaches what being healthy really means and how to do it in a way that fits your unique needs. Her easy, practical tips assist you with assessing the entire wellness landscape and appropriately planning your personal wellness journey. A wellness thought leader, she champions a comprehensive approach to health by addressing mental, emotional, social, spiritual & physical well-being with a simple and potent message. Her book Wellness Your Way offers a practical strategy to assist readers in creating a happier, healthier life. For more information or to book Dr. Hamilton for speaking engagements visit www.ManifestExcellence.com or www.DonnaHamiltonMD.com

 

Manifest Excellence, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

 

Donna Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAP
Follow Me
Latest posts by Donna Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAP (see all)