Recipe for the holidays: combine beautiful traditions, gatherings with family and friends, gifts to purchase, crowds to navigate, extra commitments here, there and everywhere, and oh – don’t forget parenting duties and taking care of our chronic health needs. Mix well, and what do we get? A perfect opportunity to pause and remember what really matters to us!
Instead of letting holiday stress wear us out, perhaps this year we can let the symptoms of over-doing it (for me it’s fatigue, grumpiness, and complaining!) be a signal to sit down, have a nice cup of tea, and celebrate the true gifts in our lives – our family, our health, our happiness together. After all, what will really make a difference to our children and our health in the long run? Another holiday party, another toy soon outgrown? Or a commitment to take care of ourselves, so we can feel more relaxed, happy, and healthy and enjoy our time with our children?
May we truly enjoy this holiday season with our families, by remembering to first give ourselves the gift of self-care.
