This Holiday season has been a hard one for me to get into! It feels like so much is going on and everything is moving so fast. Between work and home and church and relationships it can be difficult to focus on ourselves from time to time, like we should be doing.
Whenever I am having a rough go of things whether daily, weekly or sporadically, there are things that help me and my mental health out immensely. If you are finding it hard to find time for yourself try one of these ways to pamper yourself after a long day:
Take a Brisk Walk
After a long day of work, most of us just want to get home, get into comfy clothes and spend time with our families. But this is the busiest time of the year and going for a brisk walk once you get home can help you focus on the rest of the evening with a clearer mind. You are also moving your body and burning more calories! To know why winter is the best time to start a workout routine click HERE.
If you have a sedentary job (i.e. working at a desk) and your commute to work involves sitting ( i.e. car, train, bus) it might do you a lot of good to throw on your coat and take that brisk walk, before entering into your haven of coziness
Make some Tea + Read a Book
If you are a tea drinker there are plenty of health benefits to certain types of tea. Peppermint is great for calming your tummy, turmeric is a great immunity booster and chamomile reduces stress! Tea in the afternoon is a great break from all the coffee you've had during the day too.
Let's add a book to our tea time. Whether you listen to audiobooks, have a Kindle or love having a physical book in your hands reading is a way to unwind. Sure you can watch the television too, but we spend so much time on our computers and phones throughout the day, that it might be best to give the screens a rest and get into a good book!
Redecorate a Space
I'm not suggesting you tear an entire room apart but while you're relaxing, take a look around the room you're in. Is there a decorative piece that you feel could really tie the room together? Maybe you want to scoot a few furniture pieces around and see how that feels. Maybe it's just rearranging what is displayed on your shelves.
Psychologists say that rearranging a space can be mood lifting, gives instant satisfaction and makes us feel effective. This tip is great if you are a stay at home parent or are working from home. Changing up the environment is also great for saving money on buying new furniture. So give it a try and let your creativity flow!
Meditate
So many benefits to meditating. Lowers stress and blood pressure, clears the mind and allows us to focus for the rest of the day. Meditating in the evening is a great way to let go of any stress that crept into your day. It is a chance to say goodbye to all the negativity the work day brought and to welcome in peace for your evening.
It's something I want to try doing more. The hope is that it will make me a better wife to Chris in the evenings. So much can happen in a day and I'm always bummed when I look back at an evening wasted because my day was crumby and I brought that negative energy with me into mine and Chris' time together in the evening. Meditating isn't just sitting in a dark room in the quiet, it involves a lot of mental work and processing. Use the time after meditation to pray with God for a bit. Asking to keep your mind clear and for the negativity from the day to stay behind so that your focus can be on family or partner.
Longs Bath
Bathing is more than a "way to clean oneself." Bathing can benefit our muscles and joints, reduce pain and inflammation and can help us breathe easier. It can be such a relaxing experience and a great way to destress from your day. Light some candles and throw on some music, grab a glass of wine and immerse yourself into luxury!
For extra flare, add some bath salts or oils, maybe make it a bubble bath or add flower petals to the tub. Get a face and/or hair masque and treat yourself to a brief spa experience.
Unplug
Leave the phone in the other room. Detach yourself from social media entirely to focus solely on what matters most. Besides being bad for our eyes, our devices have caused us all to be less focused on family time. If we want to be a good example for our kids we need to put the devices away and show how engaged and invested we are in our loved ones lives.
This also leaves opportunity to play a game together or play outside as a family. Engaging in genuine conversations and being open about the highs and lows of our days creates chances for empathy from our family and helps us grow closer to one another, and it demonstrates great social skills for our kiddos!
If you've reached a point where it feels like life is drowning you, it is time to take control, lean into these things and find the joy in this joyous season!
What do you do to recharge after a long day? Comment below with any tips you have!
Comentarios