Remember when the holidays were fun and magical and stress-free?
Yeah, me either. Ha!
It seems like with every passing year, the holidays get busier and more chaotic and more stressful. And now with the advent of Pinterest and Facebook, there is this irresistible pressure to make our houses look like magazine spreads and create the most delicious recipes and purchase just the right present and to win the Most Clever Elf On The Shelf hiding place — and to make it look effortless and fun.
Ahh… the pressure!
Every year I swear I’m not going to allow the holidays to stress me out, and every year I find myself overwhelmed with all the things I want to do.
It’s understandable, right? We’re moms. We’re in the business of making memories, and the responsibility to plan for the holidays while keeping the household running smoothly rests on our shoulders. Before we know it, taking care of ourselves soon takes backseat to the busyness of the season.
But this is the LAST time of year we should let ourselves go. Think about those holiday photos and all the social events where we see people we only see once a year. So while I’m not going to stop the decorating and baking and preparations that go along with the season, I am going to make a concerted effort to make time for taking care of myself. How about you??
Here are some suggestions for surviving the holidays and looking your best!
5 Tips for Surviving the Holidays
1. Water
Chug water. It is seriously the #1 thing you can do to stay looking youthful and stress-free. I know in the wintertime I have a hard time getting in my water quotient because it’s cold outside and I’d rather be sipping on a mug of steaming coffee. But this is the time of year we really need to be committed to staying hydrated and keeping up with our water intake. Plus, bonus . . . it’s free!
2. Schedule a facial.
Okay… not free. So call it an early Christmas gift or whatever you need to do to justify it, but make time to get a quenching facial so your skin is looking radiant for all those holiday parties! Plus you get an hour to relax during the busiest time of year! And if you need a bigger pick me up, check out Smart Beauty Guide to find a surgical or non-surgical way to look more refreshed. There are quite a few of non-invasive methods that will give you a pick-me-up
3. Increase your supplements.
Everyone should be taking Vitamin D3 and Cod Liver Oil during the wintertime. Ideally, you should get your Vitamin D levels checked with a simple blood test to make sure you’re taking the right dosage, but if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, chances are good that you are Vitamin D deficient in the wintertime. And CLO is a good idea all year round, but especially in the wintertime when the cold, dry air wrecks havoc on our skin, hair and nails.
4. Exercise
You knew I’d be preaching that one, didn’t you!? It’s easy to let exercise go by the wayside when you’re extra super busy, but the stress relief that exercise provides will make you far more efficient, and I promise the time trade-off is worth it!
5. Invest in a good concealer!
I’m not even going to tell you to get your sleep. Something has to give during the holidays, and sleep is usually it. I know I will be staying up later, trying to get all my baking and decorating done. But don’t let puffy eyes get the best of you. Apply a good quality concealer that matches your skin tone around your entire eye area — yes, even on your lid, lash line to brow bone. Then apply a light dusting of powder. Then apply eye shadow, liner and mascara. Stick with lighter and neutral shades of eye shadow, and avoid wearing eye liner and mascara on the bottom of your eyes, as that draws attention to the under eye area that might be puffy. Don’t forget to apply your concealer under your eyes and around into the inside corner too.
What are your best tips for surviving the holidays and taking care of yourself in the process??
12 Responses
Great tips! I need to look into changing my supplements in the winter – such a good idea.
Great tips! I have had low vitamin D so taking a supplement is great idea. Apparently it is more common than one would think. It also helps boost your immunity which is good this time of year.
Ha! All of the things I am planning for the next few weeks 🙂 I KNOW I need to take care of me during the chaos and joy of the holidays 🙂
Sleep! I know it’s at a premium this time of year but if you go to an event after a week of cooking, shopping, wrapping on only 4 hours sleep, you’ll have a tough time.
Yeah, I know! And I am usually the first one to preach sleep. For me, staying up late would mean 6 hours of sleep, not my normal 9. 😉
Thanks! A good reminder to re-evaluate the supplements I take!
Ok so I am going to book a facial… and a microdermabrasion while I’m at it and when my husband sees the bill I’m going to tell him, “But Jo-Lynne said so!”
HAHA! I have been wanting to try microderm. Have you ever done it?
Yes! I’ve done it a handful of times but love it… they always try to get you to buy a package for maximum benefit, but I think going once every 6 months still takes all the dead stuff off and gives a fresh look!
Awesome. I’m definitely going to give it a shot!
These are good tips for dealing with stressful times. I never thought about doing a facial to handle a busy season, but it sounds like a good idea.
LOL, I can make almost ANYTHING a good excuse to visit the spa! 😉