After the holidays, it can be difficult to get back in the regular swing of things. The anticipation of the holiday season is gone and, in some cases, may have been accompanied by quite a let-down. Days are still short, nights are still long, and it’s hard to get outside. Worse, the bills may begin rolling in from all of that holiday spending, which can decrease our ability to socialize still further as a result of over-spending (more costs = more money that you don’t have, creating a vicious cycle). It’s enough to put anyone into a slump! Fortunately, there are some things you can do to boost your morale and get yourself back into a better routine. Remember, self-care isn’t shorting the rest of your activities. In fact, self-care can actually make you more productive and improve your ability to take care of the other things in your life.
1. Make Your Bed
No, the simple act of making your bed probably won’t pull you out of a depressive slump. It might, however, make you feel a little better about your living environment; and when your living environment is nice in tidy, in general, you’ll tend to feel better about yourself. Take the time to make your bed each day. It’s a great way to fall into a routine, and it will help you start each morning with a sense of accomplishment: that’s at least one task you were able to take care of! Even better, when bedtime rolls around, you might find that you sleep better in that nice, tidy bed, and wake up better able to tackle the next day.
2. Try Some In-Home Self-Care Pampering
Look up a great recipe for a facial or pull out your polish and give yourself a mani-pedi. You can even invite a girlfriend over to enjoy some self-care and social time all at the same time! Not only will the pampering make you feel great, by doing it at home, you’ll be able to save a little money–and that can mean more funds for social outings later.
3. Go Back to Your Favorite Escape
Watch your favorite movie. Read a favorite book. Escape, just for a little while, into a completely different world. You’ll discover that when you’re able to leave your cares behind you and escape into someone else’s world for a little while, everything else just falls away, leaving you feeling better able to take on the challenges around you.
4. Seek Some Peace
What is it that makes you feel comfortable and peaceful? Find a way to shut off your mind for a little while. Sink into a candlelit bath while you sip your favorite drink. Curl up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate. Meditate. When you find that inner peace, you’ll discover that it bleeds over into the rest of your activities, too.
5. Start a Gratitude Journal
Start writing down the things you’re grateful for. This time of year, it’s all too easy to fall into the habit of dwelling on the negative. Instead, deliberately choose to dwell on the positive. Each day, write down something you’re grateful for. Aim for three things that were good about your day, even if the rest of the day was completely lousy. As you deliberately shift your focus to the positive, you’ll find that it’s easier to keep your mind there.
6. Get Better Sleep
There’s one bright side to not being out socializing until all hours of the night: you’re more likely to be able to get a good night’s sleep! If you’re struggling to get good, solid shut-eye, consider purchasing a Headleveler pillow to discover all the benefits. Turn down the temperature in your room, try some lavender essential oils, and get rest. A good night’s sleep can work wonders on your mood!
Self care isn’t just a luxury. It’s vital to your overall health and wellness. If you’re struggling with the post-holiday slump, turn to these classic self-care techniques and discover just how much healthier you can feel.
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