Season’s Greetings, SkinMD Family!
The anticipation, cheer, thrill, fun and stress of the holiday season are ramping up. We want each of you to survive the holiday celebrations in good spirits. Whether you are celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa as well as New Year, here are a few tips to keep your sanity and stay above the fray as you forge ahead with holiday planning and celebrating:
- Remember, there is no such thing as a perfect holiday (nor a perfect family)! Be realistic and plan on having the best holiday time for YOU.
- Stay connected to family and friends who value you. Grab your sister, friend or girlfriend for a cup of tea, lunch, brunch or happy hour. If they do not live close, call them for a check-in and catch up.
- Keep your routines regular. Don’t short yourself on sleep. Exercise at your usual times. Cleanse, correct and protect your skin, twice daily, every day. Stay hydrated. Keep up your healthy eating regimen.
- Ask for help. Many of us do not do this nearly enough and pile way too much on our to-do list, leading to stress and being overwhelmed. ASK. FOR. HELP!
- Just say NO… and mean it. See #3 above. If friends, family or coworkers are asking you to do more than you can, it is absolutely okay to say “no”. This way, you get to truly enjoy the events, tasks and activities of the season.
- Moderation is key. The food, the wine and cocktails, the treats at all the parties and friends and family events of the season! Plan so you choose your specific indulgences and keep temptation at bay.
- Leave guilt at the door. The holidays are a time to reflect, rejoice and enjoy all the people in your life in the spirit of kindness and gratitude. Remember to also be kind to yourself everyday and especially during the holiday season. Stay present and soak up the moments.
- Choose kindness. Start today and choose it every day. The world needs more of us to choose kindness every day. Smile and acknowledge another’s presence, offer a hug, hold the door open for the person behind you, give a sincere compliment, invite someone new into your friend tribe, complain less, let someone ahead of you in a shopping line or driving lane, volunteer in a soup kitchen, say “please” AND “thank you”- every day and every time, run an errand for a friend, donate your unwanted and rarely used items. Opportunities to be kind are limitless. Choose to be kind every time.
- Be kind to yourself. The holidays can be a stressful time. Remember that you need to be there for yourself as you strive to be there for everyone else. Take care of your self. It’s your holiday time too. Take some downtime for yourself, whether it is a Mani/Pedi, facial treatment, massage, solo walk or a yoga or dance class. You time is good time!
Enjoy a fabulous, festive and joyous holiday season!