The holiday season is coming, which means so are major stressors. Planning parties for friends. Attending family events and having to talk to relatives that you really don’t want to talk to. That means it’s time to start setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and refreshing your hair and makeup routine with clean beauty products to make sure you look great and feel even better for the holidays. If you’re feeling stressed about what to expect as we head into the holidays, here are eight ways to prepare for a busy holiday season.
- Practice Self-Care — If you are already practicing self-care, the holiday season is a great time to start taking extra care of yourself. Self-care encompasses mental, emotional, physical, and even spiritual well-being. It can be taking a 30-minute walk in the park or booking a yoga class. It might mean getting a massage. You can practice self-care at home by using clean beauty products to put an overnight face mask on. Whatever you decide to do, do what’s best for you, so you have the energy to tackle a busy holiday season.
2. Look Great and Feel Even Better — Looking great isn’t just for aesthetics this holiday season. It’s also about feeling better inside and out. If you’re going to be using makeup and doing your hair anyway, why not use clean makeup? Clean makeup is exactly what it sounds like. It’s made from clean, non-toxic, and usually organic ingredients that are good for you and your skin. Instead of putting questionable chemicals on your skin, you’ll be using lipstick and eyeliner made from ingredients that you actually recognize.
3. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff — Stress isn’t good for anyone. Even if you have so many things to do, places to go, and people to see, it’s better not to stress out about the little things. Think about the things you can and cannot control. You don’t have to put undue pressure on yourself by having a specific holiday color scheme if you’re throwing a party. You don’t need to worry about spending extra money on a new outfit just to have something new to wear at the party. Keep it simple whenever possible.
4. Make a To-Do List — It’s also helpful to have a to-do list. If you’re throwing a party, make a to-do list of things you need to do a month before, a week before, and a day before the party. That way, you’ll know exactly what you have to do. You’ll be able to better manage your time when you know when certain tasks need to be completed.
5. Have a Routine — People thrive when they have routines. Having a set routine also allows for flexibility and spontaneity. When you know where you’re going to be, how long you have to be there, and what you have to do, you’re able to be more flexible to change plans as needed. When you have a routine, you’ll be less stressed out because there’s a certain expectation of how your typical day will go. You may not be able to account for every single hour of your day, but you can start incorporating basic practices into your routine to practice self-care and make your life a bit easier. Try adding a simple routine like washing your face once in the morning and again before you go to bed with clean skin care products. There are tons of other little routines you can add to your day to help you feel and be your best, such as daily journaling or meditation.
6. Be Efficient — Ease the stress of your day-to-day routine during the holidays by being more efficient when possible. Let’s say you need to go shopping for holiday decorations and grocery shopping to make your holiday dinner. Try to bundle all of your errands together, so you don’t have to make multiple trips. Ask for help whenever you can by outsourcing help for your parties or chores around the house to family, friends, or even a third party.
7. Have Realistic Expectations — It’s not your job to be the Host or Hostess of the Year. Be easy on yourself and have realistic expectations. You may not be able to completely stop your awkward uncle from talking about taboo politics at the family dinner table. However, you can set boundaries for yourself by knowing when to walk away from the conversation or change the topic at hand completely.
8. Remember to Enjoy the Festivities — According to the Tri-County Times, did you know that Christmas lights were once considered a luxury? At one point, they were so expensive to purchase that most people in the early 1900s rented Christmas tree lights instead of buying them. Nowadays, most people can buy Christmas lights for their tree or their home. It’s a reminder that we can enjoy the holiday season without sweating the small stuff. When you’re so busy running around trying to make everything perfect, from your Thanksgiving centerpiece to the bright yellow star on top of your Christmas tree, you forget to take a moment to enjoy this magical time of year.
