The end of the year tends to be an especially stressful time for people. From traveling and gift shopping to party hosting and event hopping, there’s just a lot of busyness that takes place. And if you’re not one of those people with a million things to do, you might feel stressed about and envious of those who do have a lot of fun things going on. It’s a chaotic couple months that requires balance.
Although it can be one of the happiest times of the year, it can also be one of the most challenging on our mental, emotional, and physical wellness. (There’s a reason why the first Wednesday in November is National Stress Awareness Day.) That’s why I wanted to bring up the concept of self-care. We all have responsibilities that can be trying at times, and while it can feel impossible to simply keep our head above water, this is when it’s especially important to check in with ourselves and make sure we’re taking care of our most basic needs.
Sometimes writing posts like this feels silly to me, because my life is nowhere near as overwhelming or complicated as so many others’. And yet, I’m also aware that I may have far more stressors than some people as well. We’re all somewhere in the middle—some people have it better, some people have it worse. It’s all about how we handle our daily challenges that translates into our overall well-being.
I considered sharing a collection of self-care ideas (kind of like my ways to practice self-love), but I didn’t want to write a post that just oversimplifies the complicated nature of self-care. Everyone has different schedules, needs, and ways to decompress. Instead, I want to remind everyone of three surprisingly powerful ways to stay tuned in to our personal needs. You might call them “rules” because they offer a helpful framework for navigating a time of year that can seem to throw one thing after another at you (with little or no time to recover).
Rule #1: It’s okay to say “no” if that’s what I need.
Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, everyone can benefit from a little alone time to gather their thoughts and regulate their feelings. And on a similar note, it’s also okay to say “no” to certain responsibilities. You’re only one person, so if you don’t have it in you to host that party, make that dish, or contribute to a group in some other way, know that you shouldn’t have to. There’s a difference in being a helpful team player…and sacrificing your well-being in exchange for selflessness. It’s not selfish to take care of yourself!
Rule #2: It can be more productive to relax than stress over my to-do list.
Self-care is an essential part of our ability to function. If you’re spending all of your time and energy doing things that gradually wear you down, and never take the time to recharge, you’re probably going to end up at your breaking point. Whether you find yourself crying a lot, being chronically angry, or getting sick because your immune system is weak—stress can manifest in a variety of not-fun ways. It might seem counterproductive to sacrifice the quality of a role you play (e.g., employee, parent, child, etc.) to spend time unwinding, but I think this goes a long way with our ability to regroup and devise a plan for how to tackle everything better when you return.
Rule #3: I won’t completely ditch my normal routine.
Routines are a way for us to go on autopilot about the many things we need to do every day. We don’t have to re-figure everything out all the time, because it’s all part of a routine we’ve established for ourselves. During busy times of the year, our routines tend to get thrown out of whack because of various add-on items. For many of us, straying from routine can be stressful in and of itself. That’s why I think it’s so important to keep up with certain parts of your routine. Whether it’s your workout schedule, eating balanced meals, meditating, weekly calls with a friend, or going to bed early—make sure you’re prioritizing crucial parts of your routine that contribute to your well-being.
Ideally, self-care would be incorporated into your entire day, which is why I created a Daily Checklist for Overall Health for those of us who can’t stop following and creating to-do lists. It’s intended to make our most basic needs part of our routine—not treated like a bonus or luxury.
At the end of the day, just remember…
“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” If you have too much going on, see if there’s anything you can cut back on…if only for a day. A little bit of self-care can go a long way, especially during a crazy couple of months!
