After the Holidays: Think Self-Care

The holiday has come and gone. It’s all a blur now! What a whirlwind! As the hustle and bustle and the excitement of the holidays has passed, it is now that the winter blues can really set in. It can be especially difficult if your holiday did not include seeing and spending time with those you love. In this case, the loneliness and winter cold can settle in the most amplified way.

Self-care can make a difference. Given the right set of skills and practices the feelings of being down and out can be lifted! With a self-care practice regimen, you can feel more like you, ready to take on whatever comes your way.

Self-care is not just spending money on massages, manicures, pedicures, movies, and meals. It is not just about self-indulgence. It is about really looking at what is making you feel blue: physically, emotionally, and mentally, and using your self-care skills to move toward positive health in each of these areas.

Here are some things to do to care for yourself:

Physically – Get up and shower! Wash yesterday away and start fresh. Don’t stay in your pajamas all day. Give your body a message of positive health and movement. Brush and floss your teeth. Ladies, put on a little blush! Eat breakfast. Enjoy it. Choose foods that are good for you, but don’t deny yourself the occasional donut.

Emotional – Seek the company of others. Even if you go by yourself, talk to strangers; the waiter, the clerk, brighten their day and you brighten yours at the same time. Volunteer! Start your new year by giving back. Service clubs like Kiwanis, the Exchange Club and Rotary are just waiting for your call. When you make a difference, you feel the difference in you. Don’t be demanding on yourself. Although self-discipline is important, if something doesn’t get done, will it still be there when you get to it? Create a routine, reserve special days or times for things like, bills and household chores. Routines can steady us when things get rough.

Mental – Stay alert with journaling, meditation, or learning new things. How about a book group, music lessons, or art classes to keep your focus away from negative feelings? Limit your TV time to your favorite show and maybe 1 news hour, limit social media too – it’s a time sucker. Don’t just stare at the moving pictures on the TV, you should be the one who is moving!

Think self-care. Know yourself and know the triggers that show you are getting burned out or just down and blue, or get some support from places like NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 12 step anonymous groups like AA, OA or NA, or join a group at your local church.

If self-care and community supports are still not enough, please think of Silver Oaks Hospital, for a free, confidential level of care assessment. We can help determine the kind of support that will move you toward health. Our professional and caring team are waiting for your call at 844-580-5000. We are here to help, 24/7/365.