Equilibrium
by Circuit
40 Self-Care Ideas to Help You Avoid Holiday Burnout
10.12.2021
The holidays are meant to be one of the best times of the year, but with that also comes a lot of stress. It can be challenging with the extra celebrations and obligations to include healthy routines into your life. On the other hand, the holidays are a time of reflection, which can elevate stress for some. One of the easiest ways to make goals happen more realistically is by setting them into bite-sized pieces, even if it’s just a few minutes each day. It’s so important to remember to take a break and unplug especially during these times, because burnout tends to happen when you aren’t able to prioritize a moment to disconnect. Here are 40 simple ways you can practice self-care and stay physically and mentally healthy over the holiday season.
1. Make holiday travel healthier with these tips from our virtual Nutrition on-the-go event hosted by a registered dietician
2. Create a gratitude list and add something to each day that you are thankful for
3. Find a quiet spot to meditate, even if just for 5 minutes
4. Go on a brisk ten minute power walk after lunch
5. Challenge yourself to drink 10 glasses of water throughout the day
6. Try a series of Yoga stretches before bed, or relax with a variety of virtual Yoga classes through the Circuit Living mobile app
7. Organize an in-person or virtual Mixology Evening with friends and family and share a favorite unique cocktail or two of the season
8. Designate a weekend or full 24 hours to stay off social media and put your phone on airplane mode
9. Think of a reasonable goal you would like to accomplish or have had on your mind for awhile, and make a timeline for accomplishing it by breaking down one small task a week to help get you to the finish line
10. Have a New Year’s goal to eat healthier? Try these tips from a certified dietitian about the do’s and don’ts of fad diets and managing a food plan that works
11. Start an accountability group with friends to make sure everyone stays on top of their fitness goals through group workouts or weekly fitness challenges
12. Designate a virtual or in-person meetup with a group of your closest friends or family members dedicated to sharing the funniest and most favorite stories you have of each other
13. Pick up ingredients to have healthy snacks on hand throughout the week
Checkout these 5 easy and healthy snack recommendations we’ve put together!
14. Think about something you truly love to do or are good at, and find a few moments to practice or enjoy it today
15. Have an at-home spa day and indulge in something relaxing like a DIY mask or an epsom salt bath soak to relax sore muscles
16. Book a massage for yourself. Yes, you deserve it!
17. Think of your favorite dishes at your favorite restaurant and try to recreate it at home (also great for a date-night)
18. Write an old-fashioned letter to someone you miss, or a thank you card to someone who should hear it and send it out in the mail
19. Take a walk in nature
20. Go to bed a little earlier to allow yourself some extra sleep
21. Make a list of some of the most beautiful things in your surroundings, on your commute to work, or in general that you recently saw or heard about
22. Make a point to share with people the qualities you appreciate about them when they least expect it
23. Enjoy an afternoon herbal tea to boost your metabolism or help with inflammation, such as green tea, chamomile or ginger tea
24. Celebrate something you have accomplished, no matter how big (even if it’s been awhile!)
25. Arrange a virtual trivia night with a group of friends, family or neighbors
26. Get your blood pumping and burn off holiday stress with a virtual Bodyweight Bootcamp class through the Circuit Living mobile app
27. Set a busy work week up for success with a meal prepping plan including one of our healthy fall-inspired recipes
Checkout our 5 Favorite Fall Recipes Here!
28. Pick a self-affirmation or mantra for your day and practice it all week long
29. Spend some time outdoors with your pet to be sure they are getting adequate exercise as well
30. Start an at-home herbal garden
31. Declutter and donate your old belongings to someone in need or an organization such as The Salvation Army
32. Lift your mood by creating a DIY flower arrangement from home that you can enjoy for yourself, or as an easy gift for someone else
33. Take the stairs whenever you can
34. Practice simple breathing exercises you can enjoy either alone or through a Meditation or Yoga Class
Check out these simple breathing exercises we recommend here!
35. Get out of your comfort zone by thinking of something that intimidates you – and make a plan of how you can challenge yourself against it
36. Work on your posture with one of these 11 posture-improving Yoga poses
37. Think of three things you love about yourself and write them down to access on another day when you aren’t feeling as great
38. Turn on your favorite music and dance, (or take a Zumba class!)
39. Put yourself first – Learn to say ‘No’ to the things that you sometimes may feel obligated to do that might not be serving the greatest purpose for your time or well-being, even if that sometimes means family
40. Try a Kundalini or Restorative Yoga Class
