The Importance Of Giving Yourself A Break During The Holidays
While the holiday season is a time of joy and cheer, it can also be stressful. Between hosting dinners, shopping for gifts and wrapping them, and trying to do festive activities, you’re probably getting exhausted. And let’s not forget that everyone is trying to wrap everything up at work, preparing for the new year. This is why it’s important to allow yourself to rest during the holiday season. However, we’re not talking about napping or chilling on your couch with hot cocoa and Christmas movies. You need to think more strategically and practice purposeful rest that’s going to actually rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Rest isn’t generic—there are 6 types of rest, each targeting a specific kind of burnout. This holiday season, we will take a closer look at these and, more importantly, how you can incorporate them into your life without missing out on the fun of holidays.
6 Types Of Rest To Help You Recharge This Holiday Season
1. Physical Rest
The holiday season can really exhaust your body. Baking, attending events, shopping, and partying make you crave some quiet time when everything’s over. This is where physical rest comes in. It’s about giving your body what it needs to recharge. If you’re feeling fatigued, sore, or uneasy during the night, that’s your body warning you it needs rest. What you must do is prioritize sleep at regular hours, get some exercise if possible, and don’t forget to nap whenever you have the time. And, most importantly, don’t do everything at once; you don’t have to go buy gifts for everyone on the same day you plan to bake Christmas cookies.
2. Mental Rest
The holiday season isn’t always exactly the restful time it’s supposed to be. Between preparing for hosting dinners and deciding what gifts to buy, all while you try to finish your tasks at work before the holiday break, your brain is working overtime. That’s why mental rest is the first gift you should think about giving yourself. Mental rest is a break from racing thoughts and overthinking. The first sign you need it is if you tend to forget things or zone out. But how do you practice it? You can write down your thoughts or plan meal prepping and gifts ahead. Next, add mental breaks to your day. Go for a walk, stare at the twinkling holiday lights, or just sit with a cup of coffee. Overall, allow your brain to rest because, although it may not seem like it, the holiday season is pretty demanding.
3. Emotional Rest
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, constantly misunderstood, or in your feelings, it’s time to recharge. Basically, you need emotional rest. That is creating space to express yourself, feel supported, and stop pretending you’re fine when you’re not. During the holidays, you may have to meet with people you don’t get along with, whether because they’re relatives or because they’re acquaintances you can’t avoid in gatherings. You should limit meetings with those who make you feel uncomfortable and instead spend time with people who genuinely make you feel seen and valued. Also, set boundaries. You are not obligated to attend every holiday event, say yes to everything, or participate in things that drain you. Protect yourself and prioritize emotional rest to better enjoy Christmas with your loved ones.
4. Sensory Rest
The holiday season is magical, sure, but it can also be overwhelming to your senses. Twinkling lights, chatter, and loud music can leave you feeling overstimulated and irritable. This is called sensory overload, and it happens when your five senses take in more information than your brain can process. The result? The brain responds as it would to a life-threatening situation and enters fight, flight, or freeze mode. You can fix this by avoiding screen time for a while and sitting in peace listening to relaxing music or white noise. Now, if you feel overwhelmed during a gathering, take a step back and go somewhere quiet to close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Remember, too, that it’s okay to leave if you feel uncomfortable.
5. Creative Rest
If you feel a lack of motivation, have no fresh ideas, and are uninspired, it’s time to get into creative rest. This involves finding sources of inspiration. You can go on a trip to a winter landscape, visit a holiday art display, watch Christmas movies, listen to festive music, and soak up as many artistic experiences as you can. You can also start holiday activities, like decorating cookies, crafting ornaments, or making holiday cards. Creative rest during the holiday season is your ticket to feeling recharged and inspired. So don’t feel guilty if you’d rather read a good book than go to that party, and let your imagination take a breather.
6. Social Rest
During the holidays we usually meet many people. From relatives and friends to coworkers and busy markets, you can easily get social burnout. If you find yourself canceling plans or distancing yourself from others at events, you need social rest. You can start by not attending all the events. It’s okay to say no and only go where you truly feel you will have a good time. Also, if you feel like it, avoid gatherings with too many people and stick to dinners with friends or pizza nights with your significant other. And if you still have to go to parties, make sure to recharge afterward. Reserve some alone time and stay at home, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Conclusion
The holiday season can be full of activities, like shopping, cooking, decorating, and celebrating. Therefore, it’s easy to overlook what we truly need: rest. Taking time to reflect on the 6 types of rest we mentioned above can help you figure out where you feel most drained. Once you identify what kind of rest you’re missing, make a plan to practice it. This holiday season, let rest be your gift to yourself. By prioritizing self-care, you add joy and connection to your life, leading to a much happier holiday experience.