The Gift of Self-Care: Your Holiday Guide to a Healthier You

As the holiday season approaches, we’re often focused on giving to others. This year, why not consider giving a gift to yourself—the gift of self-care.

Self-care is about nurturing your well-being with small, intentional actions that help you prioritise your wellbeing to feel your best. Let’s explore the pillars of self-care that can bring balance, joy, and health to your holiday season and beyond.

1.   Physical Self-Care

Fuelling Your Body with Nutritious Foods
Eating well is one of the best ways to show yourself some love. Rather than focusing on restrictions, look to your diet to fuel for your body with nutrients.

Focus on whole foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins, which support gut health, reduce inflammation, and improve mood. As you enjoy holiday treats, balance them with nutrient-rich foods for lasting energy and better health.

Physical Activity
Exercise supports heart health, boosts mood, and relieves stress—benefits that are especially valuable during the holiday rush. Whether it’s a brisk walk or a quick yoga session, regular movement is a gift of vitality.

The Australian Heart Foundation recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity every week.

Quality Sleep
Good sleep is the ultimate self-care practice, promoting immune function, memory, and emotional resilience. The Sleep Foundation suggests that adults aim for 7-8 hours per night.

Establish a bedtime routine with activities like:

• Shutting off electronics and reading a book instead
• Ensuring your bedroom is comfortable, quiet and dark.
• Incorporating a relaxing pre-bed ritual, such as a magnesium salt bath, a warm cup of tea, or a calming moisturiser.

One of our favourites is the Amazing Oils Sleep Magnesium Lotion, which helps calm the nervous system and relax the mind and body, making it perfect for your pre-bed routine.

Embracing the Basics
When we think of self-care, it’s easy to skip over the basics. Access to nutritious food and adequate water, along with preventive healthcare like vaccinations, allows us to thrive. These basic needs reduce the risk of illness and support long-term well-being. So, remember that simply meeting these needs is a gift to yourself—a vital aspect of self-care.

2.   Emotional Self-Care: Meaningful Connections and Joy

Nurturing Social Connections
The holiday season is full of gatherings but prioritise spending time with those who uplift you.

The Harvard Study of Adult Development—a remarkable 80-year study on happiness—found that strong social connections are a key factor in living a fulfilling and happy life. This doesn’t mean you need a huge social circle; even a few close, supportive relationships can help you feel more connected and cared for.

Engaging in Joyful Activities
Doing what you love is a powerful form of self-kindness. Research highlights that partaking in activities you genuinely enjoy reduces stress and boosts well-being. As the season gets busy, make time for hobbies or simple pleasures, like:

• • Lighting a candle, playing music, or enjoying a face mask,
  • Savouring a cup of tea or taking a nature walk,
  • Trying creative activities like drawing or journaling.

3.   Mental Self-Care

Mindfulness and Stress Management
Self-care isn’t just physical; taking care of your mental health is essential, too. Meditation and mindfulness practices can help you manage stress, especially during the holiday hustle. Research suggests that mindfulness meditation reduces anxiety, improves mood, and even enhances emotional well-being.

Taking a few minutes to breathe deeply or practice gratitude can bring a sense of calm and clarity.

Hot tip: heed those reminders from your smart watch for a mindfulness or breath work session!

4.   Spiritual Self-Care: Purpose and Presence

Connecting with What Brings Meaning
Spiritual self-care doesn’t just mean religion; it can be as simple as connecting with what brings you purpose. Reflect on your values or spend time in nature to reconnect with what grounds you.

Self-care is the ultimate gift you can give yourself. By combining nutritious food, physical activity, quality sleep, mindfulness, meaningful connections, and joy-filled activities, you’ll build a balanced self-care routine that lasts well beyond the holiday season.

References:

1. Cena H, Calder PC. Defining a Healthy Diet: Evidence for The Role of Contemporary Dietary Patterns in Health and Disease. Nutrients. 2020;12(2):334. Published 2020 Jan 27. doi:10.3390/nu12020334
2. Heart Foundation Australia. Physical activity and your heart health. Published 2024 Feb 20. Available from: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/healthy-living/physical-activity/physical-activity-and-exercise
3. Liz Mineo. The Harvard Gazette: Good genes are nice, but joy is better. Published 2017 April 11. Available: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life/
4. SleepHealth Foundation. Ten Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep. Published 2024 Jan 12. Available from: https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/sleep-topics/ten-tips-for-a-good-nights-sleep