Holiday Self Care: Navigating the Holiday Season with Intention

We have finally begun and I'm here to tell you it's a mad house out there . I'm sure it's the same wherever you are . We mostly do a lot of online shopping , but this year we are braving our membership stores to see what sales they have , and so far so good .

We're shopping for our grown babies , so we're looking for those electronic deals and other items these millennials want . For the rest , we're going to get out early in the day , brave this cool , southern weather and get home before the crowds set in . You know how that is right With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season .

I wanted to talk about ways to care for ourselves physically and mentally during this busy time of the year . I just talked about how busy we are already and , as you can see , how easy it is to get swept up in obligations , expenses , shopping and travel plans which can completely derail our self-care . Peace is always beautiful , Walt Whitman .

So how can we maintain our basic self-care habits despite our hectic schedule for the rest of the holiday months , by sticking to our basics and making sure we're getting plenty of sleep , nourishment and exercise . I actually count the steps in the stores as exercise . Every bit counts . Right .

When our lives get increasingly demanding , we often let these basics slips , which leads us feeling exhausted , overwhelmed and irritable . Right Then we are less able to deal with stress and less likely to enjoy ourselves over the holidays . So let's try to commit to sticking to our basics as much as possible .

Honor your sleep rather than pushing through tasks late into the night . Try meal prepping healthy grab-and-go items to avoid what my daughter-in-law could call reckless eating , just picking up anything , ordering delivery or going through drive-thru . Try to squeeze in workouts that energize you for just 10 minutes at a time , like meditating or stretching .

Whenever you feel frazzled , you'd be surprised at what just these 10 minutes can help you center your mind and keep your stress down . It can . These breathers would also help prevent burnout . An empty tank would take you nowhere . Take time to be fuel Anonymous . During the holiday season , many of us struggle with family tension .

This year we had a lot of this happen . Invasive questions from relatives or feeling pressured to host a holiday party or event , even when it threatens our peace and sanity . This is the time to establish holiday boundaries . This year , I gave myself permission to scale back , prioritize time with people who enriched my life and walked away from toxic interactions .

You don't have to entertain or participate in any family antics that deplete your emotional energy and undermine your mental health . Even if it ruffles some feathers , it can be tempting to make yourself smaller . To keep the peace , but know your limits and honor them . Protect your peace at all times .

Now , this one is going to counteract the above , but one thing we can do amidst the frenzy is to have intentional conversations with our loved ones , those who energize us and show us unconditional love , and have those "emember when stories talking about happy memories about our childhood , those that make us laugh out loud and smile rings about such happiness .

My brother and I have been doing this a lot lately . When we need pick-me-ups , whenever we think about our mother . When you're in the mix of the holiday rush and all the shopping and planning is getting done , remember to nourish your body , protect your peace and connect heart to heart .

This season , try to simplify the frenzy of the season and focus on what matters to you the most , Mindful Moment . The holiday season in my opinion, the perfect time to be with the ones you love and enjoy spending time with . At times this can become draining and impossible to deal with when you are forced to entertain other people's expectations .

We have always been the family that hosted all of our holiday events , but we do this because my husband and I really enjoy celebrating . We were both brought up by women who loved and cherished the holiday season but , most importantly , Christmas . It was truly a celebration of the reason for the season .

We were grateful and thankful for what the Lord had done and would do for us , our family and our friends . It becomes cumbersome when you are pushed in the corners and made to feel small so that others can feel big . Their manipulation undermines your peace and emotional reserve . I learned over time to say no .

It hurts because the people pleaser in me wanted to be everything for everyone , but I had to do things for me . This season I chose only spending holidays with my immediate family because they meant the most to me and we were grieving , and what better way to do this than together ?

I am not sure when I will be ready to host again maybe next year or not , but I will , from here on , celebrate my way . I will not go into the holiday season angry or depleted again as this season started . I will thank the Lord and be grateful for all that he has and will do for me and my family and friends .

while protecting my inner peace and remembering my basic foundations . If not , my husband will remind me . So enjoy the rest of your holiday season . Set your boundaries , get great sleep , eat well , exercise and increments , and remember to smile . When you smile , you've won half the battle . Thank you for listening . I hope you have enjoyed this week's conversation .

I am Shannon Martin , your host . Join us next Wednesday when we talk about winter wellness , nourishing your mind and body with the cold months . If you enjoy today's conversation , please share or leave a review on Apple . Disclaimer I am not a licensed mental health professional . The information provided here is for general informational purposes only .

It should not be considered a substitute for professional mental health advice , diagnosis or treatment . If you need help , please consult a qualified mental health professional .