Happy New Year! Self-care after the holidays...

Once the holidays are over, the new year is all about SELF.

I hope you had a really nice Christmas and New Years holiday. I spent it here in Jersey with family from near, and as far away as Panama. We’ve had a house full (which I always love); it’s still hard to believe that 2022 is here already!

If you’re like me, now that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season has come to a close, it’s time for some much-needed relaxation and a chance to finally catch your breath. Although the holidays promise nothing but magical moments and jolly good cheer, the season can often spark a whirlwind of strong emotions and changes in our daily routines.

Now is the time to let go of bad habits (emotionally and physically) that no longer serve us. Time to set goals to improve our lives and strive to achieve them. So, what better way is there to kick off a new year than by following some of my “self-care” practices that will leave you feeling refreshed, refocused and re-centered for the upcoming year.

If you’re in need of a little TLC at the start of 2022, these tips and tricks will replace stress and anxiety with an abundance of peace and tranquility.

I’m thinking about grabbing some sunshine, taking advantage of the infrared sauna and cleaning up my diet will do me the most good. Let me know which of these are your favorites…..

Soak up the sun:

With shorter days and colder temperatures, the winter months make it difficult to spend time in the great outdoors. Instead of staying cooped up inside, bundle up and get outside in the fresh air. Take a stroll around the neighborhood, shovel the driveway or sit on a park bench and take in your surroundings. Not only does nature give you a change of scenery and a fresh perspective, but it also calms your mind, increases feelings of happiness, alleviates tension and decreases blood pressure.

I’ve been known to drive to my favorite parking place on a sunny winter day, and just sit in my car, enjoying the warm sunshine beaming through the windows. Our pets have this technique figured out; I bet you have too! It’s all good ;-)

Be thankful:

It’s easy to feel down in the dumps after the holidays if you spent the season focusing on the family that wasn’t present, or a challenge that arose with someone you love. When you find your mind going negative, recall all of the experiences, people and places in your life that you’re grateful for. Making gratitude a part of your daily routine will prime your brain to seek out the good in your days, so you’ll feel happier and develop a more optimistic outlook on life. Simply asking yourself what you’re thankful for causes a surge in dopamine and serotonin, and directing your attention to all your blessings wards off anxiety and depression.  So, if you find yourself concerned about things that went wrong over the holidays, make a mental note of everything that went right. 

Practice breathing:

Does looking at your bank account after the season of giving (and spending) make your heart sink? Take a deep breath in and let it go. When your thoughts and emotions start to get overwhelming, shift your attention to your breath. Being mindful of your breathing pattern decreases stress and burnout, and floods your mind with a sense of relaxation and calm. Download a meditation app on your phone, find a guided meditation on YouTube, or sit alone in a quiet room (or infrared sauna) to experience pure serenity. You don’t need to spend all day inhaling and exhaling. Five to 10 minutes of meditating will set the tone of your day and keep you grounded in the present.

Break a Sweat:

Did someone make a condescending comment about you over holidays? Release all that pent-up frustration in a heart-pumping dance cardio class, or a hot yoga class. Moving your body and breaking a sweat feels so invigorating because it releases serotonin and dopamine, the feel-good hormones that boost your mood, relieve stress, improve the quality of your sleep, plus increases your concentration. Research shows that being active helps manage stress and anxiety better than any nasty anti-depressant drug!

Keep in mind not to force yourself to do exercises you don't enjoy - If you don’t enjoy the exercise you are doing then chances are, it’s not something that is benefiting you.

Take it steady - It’s important that you get your fitness and health routine back once the festivities come to an end. Rather than put lots of pressure on yourself to go from 0 to 100 in a day, build back up to your usual fitness routine step by step. Why not start with a brisk walk, or a couple of short workouts at home? If you don’t have hand weights, you can use your own body weight. And the good news is that (20) minutes is more than enough to be effective.

Eat happily:

You may have eaten your weight in cheese for the past week but that doesn't mean you can't get fit again!

Experiment with leftovers: Healthy eating and exercise go hand in hand, so use this time to slowly wean yourself off the unhealthy stuff and start experimenting with some new recipes. Once work starts and life takes over, cooking can quickly become a chore and it’s easy to forget that you can actually enjoy the act of cooking and experimenting in the kitchen. Make the most of this time and create recipes you can re-heat easily during your working weeks.

Have a good breakfast - Your morning meal sets the stage for the rest of the day so start it off right and get back into the habit of eating a healthy nutritious breakfast. Eggs with meat protein, berries and nuts are all good choices for a healthy breakfast.

Keep a food diary - It’s very easy to mindlessly eat during the festive period. Food is everywhere and often in excess, which can lead to constant grazing throughout the day. I suggest starting to write down what you eat and drink across a day. No matter what it is or how it adds up, you’ll learn from it and it will help you to make a new and better choice tomorrow.

Pack your plate with veggies - Holiday food can often leave you feeling sluggish, bloated, and in no mood to exercise. Beat this by adding extra greens into your diet. Healthy green veg helps to alkalize the body and will support detoxification.

Prep, prep, prep - Plan and prepare the night before. Slowly and surely this is something you can introduce back into your life. Meal prep if you know you’re going to be out and about with possibly limited healthy meal options.

Trash the unhealthy food - At a certain point, it’s time to clear out any unhealthy foods left over from the festive period. We’re all human and chances are if there’s a half-eaten cheesecake or tin of chocolates lying around, they will get eaten. There’s nothing wrong with allowing yourself a treat but even on days when you are actively trying to make healthier choices, it’s harder to say no to chocolate when it’s just a few feet away from you in your cupboard!

Sleep more:

Getting enough sleep is a very important part of your healthy routine. If you’re like me, and it takes you some time to unwind and turn off (even after you have turned the lights out and are under the covers), try going to bed 15-30 minutes earlier than you normally would. This gives you a little extra time to complete your night-time regime and unwind before nodding off.

A Take-Home Message

Self-care is often misunderstood. When people hear “self-care” an image of manicures and massages often come to mind, but that is rarely what it looks like. This picture of indulgence is why some people shrug off self-care; some even think self-care is synonymous with selfishness. But self-care doesn’t inherently require you to spend more money, and it doesn’t need to be luxurious. True self-care is just about doing things - often simple things - that charge or fill you, as opposed to things that drain you. Essentially, self-care ensures you aren’t pouring out of an empty cup.

Soak up the sun, Breathe, be Thankful, Eat right, sleep well and move more! Which of these tips are you going to try this week?

THE most important thing in life, is how you feel about YOURSELF!!!!

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