4 Self-Care 'Gifts' To Give Yourself This Christmas (To Avoid Holiday Stress)
Are you on your list this Christmas?
weheartit I know you've got a list.
A list of gifts to purchase or make for others. A list of baking and cleaning to do. A list of holiday cards or emails to send.
But what about you?
I know, I know. This is the season of giving. And there is the adage that it's better to give than to receive. And while this is all true, if we don't love, take care of, and give to ourselves before others, we can go down. And by down, I mean we can become ill, stressed or unhappy.
Putting on a happy sticker face — and pretending that all is well when it isn't — doesn't do a body good. So put down that list for a minute and check in with yourself: Is my heart in this preparation? Am I truly enjoying myself, or merely doing what is expected?
Since external expectations often create a similar feeling to self-inflicted expectations, it can be hard to tell the difference. But if, after you check in with yourself, you find that your cup is more half-empty than full (or even overflowing!), here are some suggestions that will not only fill a cup, but maybe even a bucket... or a bathtub.
1. Run yourself a relaxing bath.
Speaking of bathtubs, my most favorite thing is to fill a tub and add Epsom salts or sea salts and essential oils to create a calming mood. There is nothing better than allowing stress and tension to melt away in the tub. (Tears are easily absorbed there, too.)
To get you into the spirit of the season, add orange, cinnamon and spruce to your bath, and you'll notice more feelings of peace, comfort and joy. This scent combination is a heart-opener. It can even be worn as perfume!
If that scent isn't quite your style, plenty other essential oils also have healing and health-boosting functions, too. You can find one that suits your needs by visiting the American School of Healthcare Sciences' website.
2. Spend time in the woods.
The Japanese took "forest bathing" — the act of surrounding yourself with trees — on as a national health service program in 1982, and it's proven to "lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress hormone production, boost the immune system, and improve overall feelings of well-being," according to a report by Quartz
And the point is not to go for a quick walk with your Fitbit on. This is not about "killing two birds with one stone." (I know, you like efficiency!) Nope, don't do it. Just go and be with the trees. Meander. Breathe. Sigh!
3. Put on some music and dance.
There's nothing like dancing to get yourself out of your head and into your body. Turn on the tunes that turn you on and move like nobody's watching!
Of course, if you have kids at home, they'd likely join in the fun! If not, dance alone or invite your other to join you. You can also look for programs and organizations near you that focus your dancing more inward and toward an internal exploration, like the classes available at Open Floor or 5Rhythms.
And besides, dancing is fun!
4. Show love to your Yoni (Sankrit for vagina).
As I see it, Yoni is the universe. We are her, and she is us. After all, we were born from this womb — the source of our being — so it makes sense that we should take care of her. But how?
Well, there a few ways to shower your Yoni the love she deserves:
- Give yourself a Yoni massage. Either give yourself one or enlist your partner to give you one. Yes, it may open you to emotions that you didn't even know you were holding in your body. Or it may release ones that you know have been sitting there for a very long time. More information about one can be found here.
- Acknowledge Yoni. Just put your hand down there and acknowledge the wisdom and power that comes from her. You might even want to pick a theme song that reminds you of this. Ones I like are "Run the World (Girls)" by Beyonce, "Roar" by Katy Perry, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper or an oldie but goodie, "I am Woman" by Helen Reddy.
- Practice your Kegels. That will bring your attention to Yoni. And those kegels are good for your whole pelvic floor, too.
Of course, there are many other ways to pamper yourself over the holiday season that I haven't mentioned here, so find one (or many) that work for you.
Whatever you choose, my message is this:
Indulge in some self-care this holiday season. It's not only good for you, it's good for those other loves in your life.
Michele Brookhaus, homeopath, dancer and Yoni-lover is the creator of Yoni Bliss, a homeopathic Yoni soother and lubricant. She advocates that all women be satisfied and love living in their bodies. Contact her at michele@yonibliss.com or get your own Bliss at yonibliss.com