Today is the day to begin a regimen of self care.

Love ’em or hate ’em, the holidays have arrived. And, no matter how you feel about them, with the hustle and bustle, they bring along added stress — emotional, physical and financial.

To get through the holidays, you MUST practice self care.

Instead of letting the holidays speed things up, slow down.
Be aware of what is really important, and let the rest go.
Don’t beat yourself up, just be you.
Don’t let things get out of control and try to become someone you’re not.

Holidays don’t have to be complicated, stressful or time consuming.

If you hate cooking, order a Thanksgiving dinner from your favorite restaurant, or from a grocery store that prepares it for you. Buy a rotisserie chicken at Costco, slice it up before your guests arrive and pop in in the oven 20 minutes before dinner. Voila! Now you have a quick and simple meat to serve your guests.

Another option is to buy a package of ham slices and offer chicken and ham. Groceries have delicious frozen scalloped potatoes and a zillion other appetizers, sparkling ciders, etc. that you can just pop in the oven or take out of the freezer and you have a perfectly delicious meal to offer. Just transfer them onto some pretty serving plates and they will think you slaved away for day.

If you’re a busy mom, a working mom, or a biz owner or executive, you have enough stress on your plate. Don’t add more.

Take the stress out of the holidays and make them simple. Offer to do the turkey if someone else does the sides, or, even better, host a potluck. And if you really want to just relax, make a reservation for your family at a country club or restaurant and have them do all the cooking for you! Give yourself a break and enjoy the family.

Everyone needs self care over the holidays.

You may be thinking, “That’s easy for you to say! I have a family of 5, 7, or more!”

Yes, you’re right. But even moms of 5 (or more) can make time for themselves WHEN they make it a priority!

Here are a few self care ideas to get you started…

Take advantage of the little blocks of quiet time. You may be exhausted, but if you put the little ones down even 20 minutes earlier or you get up 30 minutes earlier, take those quiet moments for YOU!

Read. Curl up with a book, something you probably haven’t taken time for in ages, and get lost in it. It will take you out of your world, and that alone will bring peace and relaxation to your system.

Nap. Take a nap when the baby finally falls asleep. The dishes will wait. Take a 20 minute nap, and allow your mind and body to refresh and renew. You need to be ready — physically and mentally — for the next round!

Meditation. Meditation is another great self-care method. No, you don’t have to shut your mind off and get all zen. Meditation can be as simple as singing a song that makes you happy or relaxed. Or, if you feel your own singing would stress you out more, lol, turn on the tunes and just listen to the words.

Date with yourself. Tell your husband, it’s “Spa Saturday.” “On Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, it’s your turn to settle the kids down and then get them in bed. From 7 pm until they are in bed it is my time.” Set a date for yourself.

Hop in the tub. Add some sea salt, Epsom salt, baking soda, maybe even some essential oils. Take 20 minutes, and pamper yourself. If you really want to get extravagant, light a few candles and put on some soft music. I would set a timer if you have little ones, you may just fall asleep! But you DO deserve a little pampering!

Color. This may sound odd, but coloring books aren’t just for kids! Adult coloring books aren’t only relaxing, but they fire up the right side of your brain. We tend to think, think and over think nowadays, which stresses us out more. Instead of overthinking, just get out the colored pencils and color. You will be shocked by how calm and balanced you feel when your energy is flowing again.

Connect. Take time to actually connect. Rather than have the family separated all over the house, sit down to a game of Old Maid, Yahtzee or make up your own game. Play a family version of “20 Questions” and have each member take turns pulling and answering a question about themselves. Sometimes we don’t realize just how disconnected we are until it’s too late. Giving your family the opportunity to share and be heard will open up many opportunities for love and discovery — without electronic devices!

Daydream. Curl up in your favorite chair, sip a cup of tea and just daydream. Or, just take a sip, lie back and watch the clouds float by. Get lost in dreams of an adventure you would love to take. Let the images play like a slow motion movie, and when you are done with your tea you will be ready to face the day. You will feel like you took a mini vacation, because energetically, you did!

Journal. Let all the feelings and emotions you’re holding in pour out on paper. Allow for release. Get your thoughts out of your head so you can unwind without them. Take a deep breath as you release each one, and exhale anything that remains of it.

These are just a few free and simple ways to engage in self-care. Remember, the holiday season is meant to be savored and treasured. Make time for yourself, so you can de-stress and enjoy the season.

If you pour into everyone else’s cup from your own, you will end up with an empty cup. By remembering to fill YOUR cup, eventually it will overflow into everyone else’s. You have to start caring for yourself before you can take care of others.

I hope you will all take time to do at least one of these things each day. Remember, you are worth it!

I am thankful for each and every one of you. You’re awesome!

Happy Thanksgiving.