November 29

The Gift of Self-Care: Putting Yourself on the Holiday List

The Gift of Self-Care: Putting Yourself on the Holiday List

By Deborah Johnson

November 29, 2024

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The holiday season is often packed with obligations, from family gatherings to work events, which can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion. This makes self-care crucial for maintaining balance. By dedicating time to recharge, you’re not only preserving your well-being but also ensuring that you can fully engage in the joyful aspects of the season. Self-care allows you to approach holiday tasks with more energy and a clearer mind, making the season more enjoyable rather than overwhelming.

Here, we discuss six applications of self-care that help us put ourselves on the holiday list. From setting boundaries to experiencing the joy of giving, applying some of these principles will increase the fun and decrease the stress of the season.

12-3-2024
Women at Halftime by Deborah Johnson The Gift of Self Care-Putting Yourself on the Holiday List with Deborah Johnson 12-3-2024
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One: Set Healthy Boundaries

Setting boundaries during the holidays can be challenging, especially with expectations from family, friends, and colleagues. However, knowing when to say “no” is an act of self-care that protects our mental health. How many parties do you really need to go to? And what type of engagements do you enjoy most? Take some time to answer those questions.

When Greg and I are planning our trips or holiday events during this season of our lives, we figure we have a certain number of holidays left to enjoy, so we want to enjoy them with as little stress as possible. This means communicating with our family and friends and not over-committing to engagements, which is not always easy. But it pays off! Start early and get the conversation going.

Two: Make Time for Meditation and Reflection

Note that I said “make” time, not “take” time. Making time for a short devotional or time of meditation will do wonders during a holiday season. You have to put it in your schedule for it to really happen. Some years ago, I provided a free short Christmas devotional for every day in December—get your copy! (Free: Christmas Devotional) Mindfulness and meditation can serve as an anchor during holiday chaos, reducing stress and focusing on what’s most important in life.

 Also, incorporating simple practices like deep breathing, and focusing on gratitude can provide moments of calm during a hectic season. Writing a simple thought of gratitude or thankfulness in a journal is a daily habit worth implementing and keeping all year long. Even during busy or stressful family gatherings or fighting traffic, pausing for a few mindful breaths with gratitude  can shift your mental state from frazzled to centered, making it easier to handle the demands of the holidays with grace. Learn more about doTERRA products here! doTERRA

Three: Prioritize Physical Health During the Holidays

Holiday celebrations often come with indulgent meals and a break from regular routines, which can take a toll on physical health. In fact, even though I try to maintain a healthy diet most of the time, the baklava and pies I make every Christmas are hard to resist! But I’ve adapted the mindset of moderation with the treats that I love and not beating myself up when I have an extra dessert.

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However, consistent exercise is always a constant as a healthy habit not only during the holidays, but all year. Simple steps like taking a brisk walk after meals, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep can also help offset some of the indulgences. Since I wake up early, I watch bedtimes to make sure sleep my is prioritized. There were many years when I’d perform at a club, late at night. Fortunately, that is no longer my schedule and focus. Also, I’m now older and find I need a little more sleep! By prioritizing diet and exercise, you increase the possibility of additional energy and decrease the impact of stress.

Four: Manage Financial Stress

Financial pressure is a common source of stress during the holidays, as gift-giving, travel, and hosting can strain your budget. One way to ease this burden is through careful planning and budgeting. Set clear spending limits well before the expectations of gifts and entertaining arise. Some families and organizations choose their Secret Santa or choose names. We like our sons to give to each other, and this year, they will set their own limits as they all have growing families This type of communication will decrease the post-holiday stress when paying off additional accumulated bills.

Also, explore meaningful, low-cost alternatives like homemade gifts or shared experiences. Many times, those types of gifts are more meaningful to the recipient. For example, I’m still amazed at how appreciated a gift of  home-made my jam is. That’s one of the reasons I make it every year, besides the fact that I can’t stand any fruit coming off our trees being wasted!

Five: Discover Creative Ways to Find "Me Time"

I find “me time” has to be carved out and planned, or it doesn’t happen. It is not selfish to book a massage or facial during the holiday season, even though it may feel impossible with so many demands on your time. But it could be some of the best investment you make for your well-being during the season.

“Me time” and self-care doesn’t have to be time-consuming and doesn’t have to be with other people. Finding creative pockets of time—whether it’s during a morning coffee, a quiet walk, or working in the yard or garden—can offer a valuable mental reset. These small moments allow you to reconnect with yourself, ensuring that you don’t get lost in the holiday rush and can fully enjoy the season. Once again, this time has to be carved out and planned.

Six: Experience Joy in Giving

We live in a country of generous givers. According to the National Philanthropic Trust, the amount of charitable giving from middle income earners is approximately $3,296 per year. Americans gave $557.16 billion in 2023. Many give to those organizations aligned with their personal values and beliefs.

Giving doesn’t only have be monetarily. It can be with time or expertise. Many times, the act of giving is a greater gift for those who give than those who receive. I equate this with the joy of giving a toy to a child. When that child starts playing with that toy, there’s a great deal of satisfaction and joy as we see their delight.

Application

  • Make an appointment in your calendar to plan as much as possible for the holiday season. The purpose is to decrease the number of engagements and commitments that may unexpectedly overburden your schedule.
  • Define the type of engagements you enjoy most and those that are mandatory. When possible, be assertive in cutting out those activities you enjoy the least.
  • Schedule at least one treat for yourself, whether a massage, facial or other activity that will give you a mental and physical break.
  • Commit to some type of journaling or devotional reading throughout the season to help you focus on what is truly most important in life.
  • Decide this year, you will enjoy the holidays. It’s a pro-active decision we call make.

Additional Resources

Free Download: Christmas Devotional for every day in December

Deborah’s Books on Amazon: 5-Star Self-help books!

More Free Resources, including a Christmas Sing-a-long you can do from home!

Halftime Success Resources: Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment. Specifically look at Coaching and Courses

Taking the time to assess what’s working—and what isn’t—can help us make meaningful changes for an even better year ahead.

deborah johnson

Thought Leader, Keynote Speaker, Author

If you are interested in growing and learning, check out our online courses here: Online Learning

1,651 words

Deborah Johnson

About the author

Deborah Johnson, M.A. has not only written multiple books and albums, but hundreds of songs, three full-length musicals and is the producer of the popular podcast, Women at Halftime. She was past president of the National Speakers Association, Los Angeles and has written & produced multiple online courses. She enjoys being outside and traveling with her husband and also loves spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Up for multiple GRAMMY Awards and spending over 20 years in the entertainment industry, she's built multiple self-driven businesses and is an expert on how to constantly reinvent yourself in a gig-economy. Deborah speaks and performs for both live and virtual events.

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