By Schuyler Corrigan

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December 20, 2021

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With the last two weeks of December quickly coming to an end, this can be a very packed and stressful time for everyone. Below are a few of our tried and true recommendations for a holiday self-care guide: simple practices that you can incorporate every day that can support your nervous system, improve your sleep, reduce your stress, and enhance your mental health. 

 

Read More: How to Create a Care Plan for Yourself

Holiday Self Care Guide

 

• Get outside for at least 15 minutes each day. Time in nature (also known as “nature therapy”) has been shown to decrease levels of chronic stress and improve mental health. Going for a walk, sipping your morning coffee on the porch, or visiting your local park or garden is a great place to start. 

 

• Establish an evening sleep routine. This does not have to be elaborate. Try to keep your bedtime consistent each night, and avoid screens or blue light prior to falling asleep. 

 

• Remember to take deep breaths throughout the day. Taking a long, deep breath calms your nervous system and digestion, and reminds your vagus nerve to relax. Make a habit to take a deep breath with every email notification, at every red light, or before you begin each meal or snack. 

 

• If you’re feeling overwhelmed with too many things on your to-do list, practice asking for help, or delegating some of your tasks to someone else. It can feel hard for many people to ask for help but can serve your state of mind significantly when just one or two things can be taken care of by a helpful friend or family member. 

 

• Feed yourself well for at least one meal per day (more if you can!). Nourishing yourself with food is truly one of the best ways you can take care of yourself. It’s hard for you to find healthy meals every day, consider meal prepping once a week so that you predictably have at least one meal each day that you can feel great about. 

 

• Enjoy nourishing herbal teas throughout the day. Chamomile, tulsi, mints, and green teas are delicious and therapeutic ways to not only stay hydrated but calm you down and relax your mind and body any time of day or night. 

 

Read More: Support and Self-Care Practices for Caretakers 

 

From all of us at Richmond Natural Medicine we want to thank you for being part of our community this past year. We hope that each one of you has a safe and beautiful end of your year, and look forward to supporting you in the new year!