December is officially here – and while many consider this season “the most wonderful time of the year,” for a lot of us, the holidays can spell stress. From planning vacations to decorating, cooking, preparing for visitors, and of course, shopping, getting into the holiday spirit can seem more like a mounting to-do list and less like a season of cheer.
That’s where the philosophy of self-care comes in: taking time to press pause and doing something with the specific intention of caring for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
At FRENCH GIRL,
self-care is a sacred practice – a ritual we appreciate and encourage in order to reconnect with the mind, body, and spirit – and we’ve got plenty of self-care tips to share. So when you start to feel overwhelmed this holiday season, try one of these tricks to ease your mind and remember why this time of year is meant to be merry and bright.
UNPLUG |
With constant communication, incessant advertisements, and endless information bombarding our feeds and inboxes, it’s no wonder we can start to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and even depressed. Set boundaries – take some much-needed space from technology, even if it’s only for 30 minutes each day. Set that time aside to read, write, cook, stretch – whatever gets you in the moment and in touch with yourself.
GET BACK TO NATURE |
Whether your idea of nature is a hike in the woods, a walk around the block, or tending to your houseplants, there’s something about connecting with the natural world that encourages us to get lost for a moment.
JUST ADD WATER |
Being in or around water is a natural stress reliever. Take a solo trip to the beach, find a lake or stream to sit by, or draw yourself a luxurious bath! No matter what you choose, soaking in the beauty of water – metaphorically or literally – is extremely healing.
PICK UP A BOOK |
The best way to escape your day-to-day stress is to lose yourself in a beautiful story. A well-written novel can challenge your preconceived notions, transport you to other worlds or realities, and help you to reflect on your own life. Curl up by the fire with a good book and a cup of coffee, and let stress melt away.
PUT IT ON PAPER |
Write a poem, create a story, paint a picture, or journal about your day. Expressing yourself on paper, whether in a creative, artistic manner or simply venting to your diary, helps to clear your mind of stressors and get you in a refreshed and positive headspace.
DATE NIGHT |
When was the last time you spent time falling in love with yourself? You don’t have to wait to go to that restaurant you’ve been dying to try, to see that movie you’ve heard so much about or that beautiful hike you've wanted to do – go solo! Spend time doing you love things with yourself, simply because you can.
GET MOVING |
While exercise is awesome, it’s important to make time to move your body without expectations. That means no counting repetitions, trying to break records, or attempting to beating your best time. Instead, dedicate one day a week to moving your body without personal goals or judgements - practice yoga, walk your dog, or have a solo dance party. Get back to your inner child and move for the fun of it!
