The holiday season is upon us, and though it is a time for celebration, it can also be a hectic time of year for many people. The various activities that make the holidays special – decorating, shopping for gifts, planning and attending holiday parties (though virtually this year!) – can leave us feeling burnt out and exhausted. There is, of course, an additional layer of stress from the events of 2020 burdening many right now, making this already busy time of year all the more tiring. As we tackle our seemingly endless to-do lists, it can be difficult to prioritize ourselves and carve out time for self-care. Whether you are a brain injury survivor, a caregiver or a professional working in the rehab field, now more than ever, it is imperative we remember to take some time to tend to ourselves.
“But how can I find the time?”, you may be asking. Practicing self-care does not require you to spend hours a day on a complicated ritual, but rather it’s about spending a few minutes slowing down and engaging in an activity that promotes your own well-being. Today we present to you a list of simple but effective ways you can make time for yourself. Pick and choose from the list below, and perhaps over time you can build a sustainable self-care practice.
12 Days of Wellness
- Start your day with a glass of warm water with lemon. Beginning your day with a glass of water helps you focus on hydration, which is key to brain health. The warmth of the water and the addition of natural lemon flavor can make it that much more satisfying.
- Try a 10 minute meditation. Practicing meditation can help improve your sense of stability, clarity and strength, which are qualities that equip you to handle life’s twists and turns. If you are new to meditation, contact us for tips on how to start building a practice.
- Take a warm bath. Try replacing your shower with a relaxing bath once a week. Use your favorite bubble bath and light a few candles to increase the relaxation factor.
- Make a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea. Drinking any flavor of tea can be soothing, but these two flavors in particular are known to have relaxing properties. Try to prepare and savor your cup without multitasking, and increase your enjoyment by focusing on the smell, taste, warmth, etc.
- Write in a gratitude journal. Write down three things you are grateful for every day. Studies have shown that fostering a mindset of gratitude can help increase feelings of happiness.
- Call a loved one. With the ongoing pandemic, many of us are more socially isolated than ever before, which can have significant negative effects on our well-being. Even though we may not be able to visit with friends and family in person, remember to stay connected through phone calls or video chats.
- Try a restorative yoga flow. Practicing yoga can be physically challenging, but there are many flows designed for restoration and calm. Try Yoga with Adriene’s Cozy Flow.
- Take a walk outside. Find a trail or take a brisk walk around your neighborhood. Breathe the fresh air and get your blood flowing.
- Turn off your devices. Between zoom meetings, social media, and video chats, we are spending more and more time using electronic devices. Try to spend some time with your devices turned off or put away. Also remember to turn them off before you go to bed, as the light from the screen can interfere with your circadian rhythm, the biological process responsible for sleep-wake cycles.
- Prioritize sleep. Speaking of sleep…there are myriad studies showing the importance of sleep to our health and well-being. Improve your quality of sleep by establishing a consistent bedtime routine. For example, take a warm shower, complete some gentle stretches and try to get to bed at the same time every night. As mentioned above, try to put your devices away before you go to bed.
- Listen to your favorite music. Break out the wireless speaker or the record player! Whether you prefer quiet time with soothing sounds or having a dance party to your favorite tunes, listening to music can bring you back into the present moment and improve your mood.
- Try aromatherapy. Spend some time enjoying your favorite scents with the help of a candle or an essential oil diffuser. Aromatherapy is a widely used tool to reduce stress and improve mood. Some essential oils that are associated with stress relief include lavender and lemongrass.
These are just a few ideas of ways to tend to our inner world and practice self-kindness each day. We at Lotus Speech & Wellness wish you a happy and healthy holiday season, and one that includes plenty of time for taking care of you.