As we enter the holiday season, filled with celebrations, treats, family and friends, time can slip away and we may neglect to prioritize ourselves. As important as it is to enjoy the festivities the holidays bring, maintaining your physical health is just as important. Below are some ways to prioritize you during the holiday season. 

It’s easier said than done, but making conscious efforts to prioritize activities that will improve your mental health, will impact your entire overall wellbeing. Try getting active once a day, for at least 30 minutes. Limit your screen time by setting screen limit timers on your phone. Reach for a book that you’ve been putting off for a while, and start by reading two chapters. Try meditating for just five minutes each day and focusing on developing breathing techniques. By recognizing the stressors that contribute to potential negative feelings during the holiday season, you can take actionable steps to reduce them. 

In addition to prioritizing mental health, set aside time to participate in self care activities. It’s easy to get swept up in doing things for others, between gift-buying, volunteering, attending holiday events, and spending time with family. Give yourself at least one hour each day to do something for just you, whether that looks like physical self care or just spending time completely alone.

Physical health can be easily put on the back burner during the holidays due to cold weather and hectic schedules. Not only is physical activity beneficial to your body, but it also has numerous benefits for your mental health. Some ways to prioritize physical health during the holidays can include going on a walk with family or friends before it gets dark, drinking lots of water, not restricting any eating but also fueling your body through nutritious meals. If you’re finding it hard to get physically active during the holidays, try at-home workouts on YouTube which can be done in the comfort of your living room.

The holidays can be filled with the need and responsibility of putting others over yourself, which can lead to feeling more burnt out. It’s important to set habits and try new ways of prioritizing yourself during the season, in order to avoid feeling depleted and therefore, having less to offer to yourself and others around you.

Prioritize yourself during this season by taking breaks throughout the day to recharge, so you can show up fully for your friends, family and coworkers. Spend a night in and watch a movie, try preparing a new holiday recipe, read a book, or relax on the couch. When we forget to stop and check in on ourselves and fill our days with various tasks and responsibilities, we let ourselves run on autopilot and forget the true meaning of the holiday season.

It’s essential to prioritize you during the holidays and to take the time to care for yourself, your health, and your wellbeing so that you can make the most of spending time with loved ones.