Whew! The holidays are over and the New Year is beginning!

Does anyone else feel like they just ran a marathon?

I feel like we’ve been running a race since Halloween! We left for Florida the first week of November, I attending a conference in Orlando, we spent a couple weeks helping out my grandparents with a remodel in another part of Florida, returned home on Thanksgiving Day, started the whirlwind of Christmas prep and shopping, had Kohls grant my wellness wish (details coming this week, I promise!) and film the family, hosted Christmas with my husband’s family, and completed all the Christmas festivities with my family and ended with a weekend at the cabin.

Wow! Now wonder!

I do have to give myself a bit of a pat on the back, though. After the craziness of November and the first week or two of December, I did finally remember to take care of myself around Christmas and this past weekend. Here are some things that helped me survive and some that I would like to continue to remember in the New Year.

Taking Care of YOU {5 ways to show some self-love after the holidays}

Me Time

With so much time devoted to others and other priorities, it’s time to make yourself a priority. What do you do with your precious alone time? For me, if I get some time alone, it is likely devoted to work, working around the house, or running errands for the family.

I had a day during the holidays when I spent a whole afternoon leisurely shopping for Christmas and met up with a girlfriend for some shopping and dinner. It really helped me recharge. She and I rarely get a chance to spend together because I usually feel compelled to get work done in my spare time, or I push my own plans back when my husband has his own plans – not exactly sure why I let that happen all the time!

Carve some time out for yourself and indulge in it. The way it makes you feel and the energy you get back makes it totally worth it!

Protect Yourself from Illness

There is nothing worse than letting yourself get run down! The holidays are the worst – there is so much going on that it is easy not to take care of yourself.

Right during the thick of returning from Florida, struggling to catch up with work, hitting a bunch of blog deadlines, and preparing for the Kohls film crew I got hit with the flu. It was awful timing! I also knew I had so many things in my arsenal that could have prevented it. I was eating pretty healthy foods at the time, so that was a step in the right direction, but I also had recently gotten some great products to boost my immunity… And I got too busy to take them…

I had just been introduced to STS Health at the Moms Meet WOW Summit and I quickly took some FluNada and I fully credit it for the short duration of my flu! Now, had I been taking better care of myself, I would have taken the AitVita to stay healthy – I gave some to my husband and the flu never got him.

 

 

 

 

From then on, I paid a bit more attention to the health of myself and the family. We made some great smoothies with kale, berries, and Recovery Bits. We all love them and they give us some. Extra vitamins and an immunity boost during cold and flu season.

Feed Your Body What it Really Craves

Eating the right food is SO important and can be hard when things get busy! Our bodies need the right fuel to keep going, and it seems like the times when we need it most are the times when we slip. It definitely helps to prep whenever possible.

Overnight oats or frozen breakfast sandwiches can help you have something on hand so you never miss that oh-so-important first meal of the day.

 

 

 

Prepping and freezing meals can be a big time-saver as well. You can cook everything at once in the time it takes to make one meal, you can freeze nearly a dozen to have on hand when you’re eyeing up the quick and less nutritious options.

 

Keeping healthy snacks and prepped fruits and veggies is also key! You are more likely to go for the healthier options when they are already prepped and ready to go.

Pamper Yourself

This is one I rarely, if ever, do!

Luckily, I had a lovely reminder delivered by Kohls – a cute little coffee cup, a head-band for winter running, cucumber eye mask, and some nail polish in wonderful holiday colors. It was such a great push to slow down and focus on myself. I used that cup in the mornings for some warm lemon water, or some lemon honey Airborne. I also took some time to paint my nails, and I can’t tell you how long it has been since I’ve done that – seriously, about 2-4 times in the past 4 years – no exaggeration!

I got another push to take care of myself from Influenster and Vaseline with some great lotion to review. That stuff has been a Godsend as the dry winter air has emerged! Even the small act of taking the time to lotion my skin makes me feel as if I’m taking care of myself.

Even if it is as small as using a nice lotion or painting your nails, spending some time to take care of yourself can really go a long way!

Unplug and Enjoy Others

I saved the best one for last.

We are so tied to our phones, iPads, and computers that we are constantly connected to work and responsibilities. If you’re like me, every bit of “down-time” seems to call for grabbing the phone and checking emails, pinning some meal planning tips on Pinterest, updating social media sites… It’s crazy and we can’t escape it!

Put the phone in the other room where you can’t hear it and just be present. Enjoy the real people in your life. Play a game with your kids without checking that new email that came in. Cook dinner with your mom and find a recipe in a cookbook instead of Pinterest, which then draws you off to pinning that great article about homemade shampoo recipes. Enjoy some time outside without taking pictures and posting to Instagram.

These are the real moments in life. These are the memories you’ll take with you. Be present and enjoy.

I did this after Christmas and it was hard. It felt strange to be disconnected for so line, and I even checked in every night after the kids went to bed! We almost feel guilty for it, but we deserve a break and only good will come from it.

We all could use a little reminder to take care of ourselves – here are 5 easy ways to show some self-love from @exploringdomesticity

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How do you show a little love for yourself?

Did you unplug over the holidays?

How long has it been since you’ve made some of these things a priority?

 

I was not compensated or asked to share my love for any of the products mentioned above. However, this post does include the Amazon affiliate links below and if you’re looking for a little way to show yourself some self-love and make a purchase I will get a small commission. Thanks for your support!

 

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