Self-care is essential all year, but it can feel like the last or just another thing on my long list of to-dos if you are like me. When we align with nature, we see that this time of year is a time for reflection, turning inwards, slowing down, and laying the groundwork for winter stillness. Yet, our society has us doing the opposite; the holiday season pushes us into an unnatural go-go-go external action way of being. So if you are feeling misaligned, this could be why. Take time to nurture yourself, to rest, unwind, reflect, and know that you pure magic.
Downhome Mystic suggestions for taking exquisite care of yourselves over the Yuletide season:
Connecting with Nature
- Spending time outdoors and connecting with nature can significantly reduce stress levels and nourish our bodies. Go for a hike, sit and watch the ocean ebb and flow/or snow fall on a frozen lake, watch the sunset or rise, or gaze at the moon. If possible, take your shoes off and enjoy the sand or soil on your bare feet- keep your boots on if it’s snowy- best to have a warm heart and warm toes.
Connect with a Friend or Loved One
- With the pandemic, an in-person meeting may not be possible; make time to Zoom, FaceTime, or call a friend. Try to focus on the conversion rather than multi-tasking; this can help strengthen our connections to those we care about.
- Write a good old fashion letter letting someone special know you care. Think of the smile on their face when they get a letter that isn’t a bill!
Start a Gratitude Journal
- Recognizing the abundance in our lives helps us shift our focus from what we lack to see how much we truly have. Try to write three things you are grateful for each day for one month and see how this helps to shift your perspective.
Movement
- Intentional movement is so vital for our mind-body connection. Walking, yoga, stretching, hiking, running, riding a bike, dancing to your favorite 80’s jam… anything that gets your body moving will also get those endorphins moving.
Meditate
- Many great apps on your phone guide you through meditations ranging from a few minutes to an hour. Sometimes meditation can feel intimidating; I want you to know you can’t do it wrong! Merely sitting and focusing on your breath moving in and out for a few minutes is a beautiful way to reset your day.
Cook or Bake
- Take some time to try and recreate grandmas famous apple pie recipe, gather seasonal root vegetables for a hearty stew, or buy a gingerbread kit from Trader Joe’s- put on some holiday music and remember to pre-heat your oven.
Remember, there is no Yuletide without “U”; it would just be Yletide, and that’s weird. I would love to hear what resonates, and if you have other self-care tips you would like to share, let me know.
Never feel guilty about spending some alone time to enjoy yourself. Self-care is crucial for our mental health it helps us be the best person we can be for others. It sounds cliche, but the holidays are the perfect time to do some serious reflection and reconcile any bad feelings we may have with ourselves or with others. 2020 has been an extremely difficult year, and our gut instinct might tell us to put it behind us and never look back!