It's the most wonderful time of the year... for some of us, at least.
The holidays are a great time to relax at home, spend time with family and reconnect with old friends. But to some, it's not such a magical time of the year. I, personally, am not a huge Christmas lover. As much as I love seeing my family all together for the holidays, I don't love the promise of winter on the horizon. It never feels like the holidays last long enough--Christmas is almost over, which means New Years is on its way, and then... nothing but snow. For people with Seasonal Depression, it can be difficult to get through the coming weeks.
That's why self-care is so important this time of year. I struggle a ton over the winter months, but--especially over the last year or two--I've been working hard to keep myself afloat until Springtime. Here are 23 tips I try to follow for self-care when the holidays are over.
1. Go outside whenever you can.
The sun may only be out for a few hours, but that Vitamin D is crucial for your mood. Even if it's just going outside on your lunch break at work, five minutes of sunlight is better than nothing!
2. Take care of your body.
3. Eat well.
4. ... but treat yourself sometimes, too.
5. Make yourself exercise.
I hate exercise as much as the next girl, but it really does help. After a workout, you feel accomplished. That's a huge mood booster.
6. Read more books.
7. Read poetry.
8. Create something.
Whether it be a Pinterest craft, a painting, a poem, or an article--create something yourself. Again, you'll feel accomplished when you're finished.
9. Visit friends when you can...
10. ... And spend quality time with yourself when you need to.
11. Make a list.
It can be a list of goals you want to achieve in the coming months, a list of shows you want to watch, or a list of all your favorite things. Writing things down makes it real.
12. Start a bullet journal.
I recently started a bullet journal where I put a mix of different lists, goals and ideas, and it's been the greatest project I started all year. Designing pages is theraputic and fun, and again, writing things down makes them real.
13. Take yourself on a date.
Go to the movies, buy yourself coffee from that fancy shop down the road, treat yourself to some dessert--do something to make you feel special.
14. Watch your favorite TV show again.
15. Organize your bedroom.
16. Make your bed.
17. Reread your favorite book.
18. Cuddle your pets.
19. Clean your workspace.
20. Buy yourself some supermarket flowers.
21. Listen to your favorite songs and sing along.
22. Go on a day trip somewhere you've never been before.
23. Make a countdown for the First Day of Spring.
The sunshine isn't too far away!
