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As the month of December rolls in, my levels of stress increase.
Instead of peacefully reflecting on the year’s end, I usually find myself exhausted as Christmas approaches.
Though Christmas day has passed, I’m still putting away presents and figuring out what to do with the excessive toys that my son has received this year. We’ve had a blast, but the truth is we’re burnt out.
Christmas celebrations are overwhelming, and just when you think you can finally slow down, New Year’s Eve shows up.
As we strive for breaks from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we tend to lose ourselves in the process and neglect our needs. Because this season is all about giving, it’s easy to feel that we’re being pulled in multiple directions.
We’re supposed to be helpful, generous, and charitable, but we almost always end up feeling drained. By January, we might feel depleted, and instead of resuming the life we’ve had before December, we end up looking for ways to recover.
The feeling of burnout that creeps in around the holidays has a lot to do with the mental load we experience. But we mostly feel overwhelmed because we don’t spend enough time doing the things we love and reconnecting with ourselves.
When I took the dogs out for a walk the day before Christmas, I realized how much I needed that breath of fresh air. I didn’t think about the presents I needed to get, the yule log I had to pick up, or the food I had to prepare; I just played with my dogs and enjoyed the walk.
For the next few days (especially on Christmas Day), I made sure to go for frequent, short walks, spend a few (more) minutes in the shower, take a nap, and do the things that empower me—like reading a book and meditating. When I had replenished my energy, I was capable of being more present and kind.
If we want to survive the holidays, we need to take breaks—genuine breaks. No social media, no TV, no distractions…just us and what makes us feel whole again. When we take good care of ourselves, we can take care of others.
So if you’re feeling weary, make a little time for yourself today. Go outside, slow down, take a walk, have your favorite cup of tea (or coffee), read, bake a cake, exercise, listen to music, or simply prioritize rest.
More importantly, remember that this, too, shall pass. You will come back to yourself before you know it.
~
author: Elyane Youssef
Image: miraalou/Instagram
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