During the holidays, we all seem to be pulled in a million directions. Between work, work parties, family, family parties, etc. there simply isn’t enough time. With all those events in your calendar, when do you have time for yourself? It probably seems unlikely thinking of it now, but even 15 minutes can salvage your mental health after a stressful day. The holidays are stressful for everyone no matter what their profession is, which is why self-care is something not neglect this season. As a nurse or other healthcare worker, it is even harder with a less predictable schedule. If you don’t think you have time for yourself, think of all the time we spend on our phones that could be better suiting our personal health. 

Designating Self-Care Time

People sometimes neglect self-care because managing stress in a healthy way is not always practiced. Society seems to praise the people working the hardest even if they go home crying from stress. Also, self-care can be associated with selfishness, which I believe is not true. Simply getting a haircut or another self-care act makes you feel whole as a person and lowers your stress. 

Nurses and other healthcare workers are always so focused on other’s well-being, that they can be more likely than other professionals to not take care of themselves. I’ve heard stories of nurses working 12-hour shifts without a lunch break or eating anything all day. While that could be due to the hospital’s demands, it just shows how much nurses really need to care for themselves. 

Tips For Self-Care

By choosing to take time for yourself, what you are showing is that you care about your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Some people may call it over-indulgence, I call it rewarding yourself for doing all that you do. Everyone has different interests, so here are some tips for unwinding when you have time. 

• Take a bath – even a 15-minute bath relaxes your muscles and entire body. After a long day, I don’t want to hear any music, so a quiet peaceful 15 minutes of being in water calms your mind. 
• Go to the gym – if you enjoy being at the gym, it is a great stress reliever. By working out you are improving your health and releasing endorphins.  
• Go for a walk – if the gym isn’t for you, go for a walk, preferably with someone else to be safe. Walking can clear your mind without being too physically straining. 
• Call a loved one – venting in a kind way to someone you trust can relieve most of your stress. Many of us feel pent up stress until we release it, which is healthy if venting to someone we care about. 
• Pamper yourself – if you enjoy getting your haircut or your nails done, make it a priority to go at least once a month. This gives you something to look forward to and makes you feel cared for. 

Eating Healthy When You Can

Very few people eat perfectly every day, but aiming to eat more healthy foods than unhealthy is a good goal. There’s no reason to deny yourself of sweets as long as it remains a small portion of your diet. Even though eating fast food at the moment is satisfying, it often makes you feel terrible for hours afterward. Here are some ways to incorporate healthy foods into your lifestyle. 

• Fruits and vegetables – even if you can’t have it with every meal, try to have it at least once a day.
• Fish – having fish is an easy way to stay healthy as they are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. Instead of taking those gross tasting capsules, having the real thing. 
• Limit alcohol – alcohol may calm your nerves temporarily, but it has no nutritional value to your body. Wine can have some health benefits but in 
• Getting sleep – getting sleep can strongly affect how you feel on a daily basis. If you are sleeping too few hours, you will feel more fatigued, sad, and stressed. 

When it comes to the holidays, it is easy to put your needs last and feel uncared for. This year, make your happiness a priority too. Focus on making time for yourself while also buying presents for family, and attending holiday events. This is not to say you shouldn’t focus on your loved ones because that is what the holidays are all about. But don’t lose yourself in the midst of the craziness.