The holiday season is upon us, with its whirlwind of parties, family gatherings and work events. It may be the most challenging time of year to find time for scheduling self-care, but it’s also one of the most important times to do so.
Overindulgence is the name of the game during the holiday season — rich foods and fancy cocktails, late nights with little sleep. Add to that the financial stress of the holidays, the anxiety that can come with multiple social situations or dealing with family relationships, and self-care quickly gets bumped to the bottom of your list.
The Wellness Show team wants to inspire and encourage you to take time for yourself this busy holiday season. We asked some of the show’s 2020 exhibitors for tips and tricks on how to stay healthy and sane this holiday season, and are now passing them on to you.
First things first: Set a budget and stick to it. Decide who to buy gifts for and how much you can afford to spend on each person. Use an online agenda or good old to-do lists to manage day-to-day tasks. Take a few moments to practice mindfulness, deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Gift wrapping and cooking can be great ways to spend time with those important to you. Be realistic and don’t put pressure on yourself to create the “perfect” holiday.
Above all, always find time to practice self-care! The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, BC Chapter recommends a warm bath, massage, or your favourite holiday drink to help you unwind.
Protect Your Dermal Barrier
Your skin’s outermost layer (aka Stratum Corneum) serves as its first defence against harm. This layer is most affected by hydration, so be sure to keep your skin hydrated inside and out. Geti Cosmetics advises drinking lots of water and using truly nourishing skin products containing fatty acids and moisturizers/humectants (ingredients that draw in water) rather than harsh alcohol and chemical fragrances which will only dry out the skin and make it worse.
Moisturize!
According to Naked Coconuts, a great natural moisturizer is organic coconut oil. Pour some on your skin, concentrating on chapped areas like hands and feet. Crawl into some warm flannel jammies, put socks on your feet, gloves on your hands (this helps with absorption) and cozy up with your favourite holiday movie.
Do you need sunscreen in the winter? The team at Quiklaser says absolutely! Most sunscreen contains blockers to screen out both UVA and UVB rays, which can even be present on those grey Vancouver days, so use it daily, year-round.
Holiday Tips for Pet Owners
Decorations are not toys and can be harmful to both cats and dogs. If your pets are playing with tinsel, ribbons, or breakables, take the decorations away and put them where they can’t reach them.
In addition, some holiday plants are highly toxic. Keep poinsettias and mistletoe away from your pet. Treat them to raw or cooked turkey meat (but avoid cooked bones, gravy or turkey fat). You can even add some raw cranberries or raw pumpkin to your pet’s holiday food bowl, via Pet Connection Magazine.
Detox Tea
Overdo it on the rich or fried foods at the office Christmas party? Ayurveda Vancouver recommends trying this detox tea to settle your tummy.
Ingredients:
1 part cumin seeds
1 part coriander seeds
1 part fennel seeds
Steep for two minutes in boiled hot water, remove seeds and drink after each meal or when desired to support digestion.
Hygge and Self-Care
The holiday season is such a busy time of year spent hosting parties, buying presents and thinking of others that we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves. One way to stay well during the holidays is to make time for the Danish practice of hygge.
Hygge is more of a lifestyle for the Danish but it’s been adopted – and adapted – for North America. It’s all about taking a breath and enjoying a special moment for yourself or with friends or family. There’s no magic formula for hygge. It can be comfort food or sipping tea while reading a good book. Whatever your preference, Helthe Connect advises to take a moment every day for some self-care hygge.
Breathe
As we rush through our days with so many people and details to take care of, we often don’t stop to think, eat or even breathe. When we feel overwhelmed, we often push through and move to the next item on our list, all in the name of productivity. This can take a toll on the body: it reacts by releasing the stress hormone cortisol which has been proven to lead to illness after prolonged periods of time.
Take the advice of Mandala Blooms and grab a minute now and then to put everything in check through your breath.
Eat Well BEFORE the Party
‘Tis the season to eat and be merry, but eating and drinking too much can often leave us wondering why our pants are a wee bit too tight come January. One great way to avoid overindulging is to eat a healthy meal at home before you leave for any holiday celebration. Include vegetables, a protein of your choice and a tall glass of water.
Arriving feeling full will help you enjoy the celebrations and stick to your best holiday intentions (via The IV Health Centre)!
For more tips and tricks on how to live your healthiest, best, most holistic life, be sure to mark your calendar for The Wellness Show, Vancouver’s oldest-running and best lifestyles showcase, with 250+ exhibitors, 100+ speakers, demonstrations and workshops all under one roof at the Vancouver Convention Centre on February 1 and 2, 2020.
Details and tickets can be found online.
