6 Steps to Prioritising Self This Festive Season
The festive season is a special time, but that doesn't mean it's an easy time. You may experience a range of emotions from happiness and joy to anxiety and loneliness. It's important to prioritise yourself during the festive season.
Credit: Photo by Zack Minor on Unsplash
Here are some tips from an occupational therapy (OT) perspective. Occupational therapy revolves around engaging in everyday activities, and here's how this can be applied during the festive period, where you might be feeling expectations from family, friends, or society.
Make it a point to leave the house every day, even if it's just for a 10-minute walk down the street.
Establish a specific time to wake up. If you enjoy snoozing, consider setting two alarms, with the second one prompting you to get up!
Maintain regular mealtimes. While snacking is common during this time, aim to have at least a couple of structured meals, such as breakfast and dinner. Since we eat every day, building your routine around mealtimes can be beneficial.
Spend time with family or friends. However, set boundaries to protect your mental well-being, whether it's limiting social engagements or taking breaks as needed.
Engage in a hobby or revisit something you used to enjoy.
Practice random acts of kindness – do something kind, even if it's a small gesture. For instance, you might want to compliment a friend on something you appreciate about them.
Establishing a routine now can facilitate a smoother transition into healthy habits as the festive period comes to an end and we enter 2024.