The holiday season is a magical time filled with twinkling lights, festive holiday activities, and cherished family gatherings. But let’s be honest—it’s also hectic. Between shopping, planning, and navigating endless social gatherings, your stress level can skyrocket.
This is where self-care comes in. Taking intentional moments to recharge is key to enjoying the season while keeping burnout at bay. Whether it’s relaxing with your favorite skin care set or journaling with a cup of tea, these small practices can work wonders for your mental well-being.
9 Unique Self-Care Practices to Keep You Relaxed This Holiday Season
Discover nine self-care tips to help you stay relaxed and present this holiday season.
1. Start Each Morning with a Calming Skin Care Ritual
Starting your day with a calming skin care routine is like hitting a reset button before diving into the chaos. Use this time to cleanse your face and apply a nourishing moisturizer, like Miracle Clear Barrier Cream, to protect and soothe your skin.
This small self-care activity is more than just about glowing skin—it’s about carving out a peaceful moment for yourself. Think of it as your armor against the day’s potential stressors, whether it’s preparing for a holiday party or managing a packed schedule. Even five minutes spent on your skin can create a ripple effect of calm throughout your day.
Pro Tip: Add a facial roller or gua sha tool to your routine to enhance circulation and reduce puffiness. It’s a little extra care that feels indulgent yet achievable.
2. Create a Soothing Evening Routine with a Facial Mask
After a long day filled with holiday preparations and rushing from one holiday event to another, winding down is essential. Treat yourself to a hydrating facial mask and pair it with soft music or a cozy holiday movie. The ritual creates a spa-like experience in your own home.
This isn’t just about pampering your skin—although that’s a nice bonus. It’s about allowing yourself a moment to breathe, relax, and decompress. The act of nurturing your skin while enjoying a peaceful activity can help reduce holiday stress and improve your mood, leaving you refreshed for the next day.
Extra Tip: Light a holiday-scented candle to create an atmosphere of cozy holiday cheer. Scents like cinnamon, pine, or vanilla can make the experience even more relaxing.
3. Practice Deep Breathing with Aromatherapy
Did you know that studies suggest mindful breathing lowers cortisol levels, making it a scientifically backed stress reduction technique? When the hustle and bustle of the holiday season become too much, take a moment for deep breathing to de-stress. Adding aromatherapy to the mix—like lighting a scented candle or using essential oils—can enhance this relaxation.
A simple breathing exercise, such as inhaling for four counts, holding for four, and exhaling for six, works wonders for stress relief. This practice grounds you in the present moment, soothing your body and mind. It’s a quick and effective way to find calm amidst the chaos, whether you’re preparing for a holiday celebration or wrapping up a busy day.
4. Pamper Yourself with a Hot Bath and Exfoliating Routine
A warm bath is one of the most indulgent ways to de-stress during the holidays. Add a few drops of essential oils—lavender for relaxation or eucalyptus for invigoration—and let the warmth relax your muscles.
While soaking, take the opportunity to gently exfoliate your skin, sloughing away the day’s stress and leaving you feeling refreshed. Follow up with a rich moisturizer for hydration. This self-care practice doesn’t just rejuvenate your body; it also helps prepare you for better sleep, making it a win-win after long days filled with holiday activities and family traditions.
Make It Special: Play calming music, light a candle, or bring along a book to fully enjoy your self-care moment.
5. Use a Pimple Patch for Holiday Breakouts
Holiday treats, late nights, and stress can wreak havoc on your skin, leading to those dreaded breakouts. Don’t let an unexpected blemish ruin your confidence. Reach for a targeted solution like the Miracle Patch Advanced Strength Retinol Spot Cover that delivers just the right amount of retinol to shrink pimples.
These patches not only reduce inflammation but also speed up healing, helping you feel ready to shine at any holiday event. It’s a quick, hassle-free way to address skin care emergencies while staying focused on what matters—sharing joyful moments with your loved ones. After all, a small act of care can make a big difference in how you feel.
Pro Tip: Keep a pack of our invisible pimple patches in your bag for on-the-go skin care emergencies during social gatherings.
6. Unwind with Gentle Stretching or Yoga
Feeling stiff from endless holiday preparations? Gentle stretching or yoga is the perfect antidote. Even a quick 10-minute session can ease muscle tension, improve flexibility, and calm your mind.
Incorporate poses like child’s pose or downward dog to release tension in the shoulders and back—common stress zones during the holidays. Pair these movements with deep, mindful breathing to enhance the relaxation effect. Whether done in the morning, midday, or before bed, this self-care tip can help you stay physically and mentally balanced, ready to embrace the next festive task with renewed energy.
7. Embrace a Digital Detox for an Hour Each Day
The constant ping of notifications and endless scroll of social media can heighten holiday anxiety. For at least an hour each day, step away from your devices to reconnect with yourself or those around you.
Use this time to journal, read, or enjoy a holiday activity like baking or crafting. Not only will you feel more present, but you’ll also reduce the comparison trap that often accompanies online scrolling. This daily detox helps shift your focus from external pressures to internal peace, ensuring your holiday cheer isn’t overshadowed by unnecessary distractions.
8. Prepare a Calming Herbal Tea and Journal
End your day with a soothing cup of herbal tea—peppermint for digestion or chamomile for relaxation—and spend a few minutes journaling. Writing down your thoughts can help organize your emotions, reduce anxiety, and create mental clarity.
Consider reflecting on what you’re grateful for each day. Gratitude journaling shifts your mindset toward the positive aspects of the season, helping you find joy even in the busiest moments. This simple ritual not only enhances your mental wellness but also creates a sense of calm that can carry into the following day, keeping holiday stress at bay.
9. Listen to Guided Meditation for Stress Relief
Guided meditation is like a reset button for your mind. Whether you have five minutes or an hour, meditation sessions tailored for stress reduction can help you let go of worries and refocus on the present moment.
Choose a guided meditation app or video that resonates with you—some focus on gratitude, others on relaxation or visualization. Incorporate this into your bedtime routine for a deeper sense of peace and a restful evening. This self-care idea is a gift to yourself that keeps on giving.
Bonus Self-Care Holiday Tips
Sometimes, the smallest adjustments can make a big difference in how you feel during the holidays. Here are a few extra self-care tips to help you navigate the season with ease:
- Period Care: If your cycle falls during the holidays, plan ahead with comfortable period products and pain relief solutions. Menstrual heating patches and menstrual supplements can make a world of difference when you're juggling events and holiday responsibilities.
- Acne Prevention: Holiday treats and stress can lead to breakouts, so stay proactive with a consistent skin care routine. Double cleanse, hydrate, and consider spot treatments like retinol-based patches for acne-prone areas. If you get stress breakouts often, consider investing in a skin care set with Centalla Asiatica to soothe redness and Succinic Acid to reduce sebum production.
- Hydration: Did you know that alcohol can trigger acne? With all the indulgent foods and festive drinks, it’s easy to forget drinking water. Stay properly hydrated to keep your skin glowing and your energy up throughout the season.
- Move Your Body: Whether it’s a brisk walk, a fun dance session, or a light yoga flow, staying active can help combat stress and keep you feeling energized and strong.
Taking care of your body and mind in these small but meaningful ways ensures that the holidays remain a time of joy, not just survival. You deserve to feel your best this season!
Why Self-Care Matters During the Holidays
The holidays are a time of joy, but they’re also full of challenges. From managing family member dynamics to keeping up with holiday traditions, the season can feel overwhelming. That’s why prioritizing self-care practices is essential.
These tips aren’t just about pampering yourself—they’re about creating space to breathe, reflect, and recharge. When you take care of your mental and physical well-being, you’re better equipped to show up for the people and moments that matter most.
Take a Breath and Enjoy the Season
This year, let self-care be part of your holiday celebration. Whether it’s through a warm bath, a calming tea, or a digital detox, these moments of intentional care will help you stay balanced and joyful.
Remember, the holidays aren’t about perfection—they’re about presence. So light that candle, take that breath, and embrace the season with a heart full of gratitude and calm. You’ve got this.
Sources:
Perciavalle, Valentina et al. “The role of deep breathing on stress.” Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology vol. 38,3 (2017): 451-458. doi:10.1007/s10072-016-2790-8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27995346/. Accessed on November 25, 2024.