Turn off the tech and spend time with family and friends.
The holidays can be a lot of fun but they can also be too busy and rather stressful. Taking a moment to breathe amidst the chaos, or a few days to yourself, can help you reset to “refreshed” before life begins again in January.
If you work from home, the boundaries between work and play have likely blurred significantly. Taking small steps to regain free time will not only benefit yourself but especially those around you. You all deserve a break.
Here are seven things you can do to relax-even if only for a moment- this holiday season.
Don’t set the alarm
Take a morning or two to let yourself wake up naturally, on your own. If you feel like you need to get up early to get things done, get to bed early. Getting enough sleep and feeling fully rested will help you feel more in control and ready to face what’s next. It also gives you extra time to yourself to dream away.
Take time off for friends and family
This is a biggie. It can be tempting to work through the holidays to earn more money, or to simply get things done. Instead of packing in long hours, if you can, take some time off. Even if just for a couple of days or an afternoon, you need it. And more poignantly, your kids and family need it. Spend undistracted time with them. It’s what the holidays are all about. Your brain will welcome the change of pace.
Go for a hike, (or two, or three)
Take time over the holidays to get outside and enjoy fresh air and nature. If you can’t get to the woods for a hike, go for a walk around town. Exercise outside has been shown to greatly reduce levels of stress.
Related: 5 Best Christmas Mashed Potato Recipes
Eat chocolate for breakfast
Don’t worry about eating right all the time. Allow yourself to eat chocolate for breakfast and enjoy the ride.
Order takeout
Many people may have had holiday plans this year and cancelled them due to the Omicron variant. This can feel very disappointing but it could be an opportune time to do something else: eat a lot of takeout food. One of the great benefits of going on a vacation is not having to do the dishes. Take this opportunity to indulge in a “staycation” by ordering in every night. Treat yourself. It will most likely still be a fraction of the cost of going away. And it’s very tasty.
Hire a cleaning service
If you always do your own cleaning, hire a service to get it done just once a year. Being able to sit back and relax in the holiday mess without worrying about when you can get a moment to vacuum the carpet is a true gift. Let everyone make things messy and hire a cleaning service to clean it up before school starts again. Or, hire one at the beginning of the holidays for a fresh, festive look. It’s the small things, like getting someone else to do the housework, that count.
Avoid your phone
Take time away from your phone. The messages will still be there next time you check it. Place your phone in the closet and leave it there. At least for a while. Avoid checking it right away when you wake up, and resist the urge to get wrapped up in your email. People want to spend time with you, not your screen. Pick up a novel, magazine, or the newspaper (gasp!) instead if you need something to read.
Enjoy the holidays by taking time to relax and get away even if only in your mind. Spend time with those you love and allow yourself to rejuvenate. Happy holidays!
photo credits: Elena Shashkina/Shutterstock.com
