Are You Taking a Holiday from Your Self-Care

December 29th, 2007

2. Keep your meal times regular and your meals healthy. It’s tempting to let go of any planning or structure during time off, and this includes meals. Grabbing whatever’s there, whenever you think of it, can lead to poor food choices that don’t give you the nutrition you need to keep you going strong for all the fun you’ve planned.

3. Have at least one activity planned every day. The key word here is “planned” - plans can, and should, be changed - this is YOUR free time, after all! Having something planned helps to keep you moving around and active and keeps you from slipping into lethargy.

4. Take some time alone. After all, as much as you love your family, you’re not used to spending 24 hours a day with them. Spending some time apart, nourishing your own self-care, will help you to appreciate each other more when you’re together.

5. A change is as good as a rest. This well-worn expression has lots of truth to it. Having time off doesn’t necessarily mean a complete absence of activity. Instead, it can be a rich schedule of activities that are things you don’t usually get to do. This could include self-care rituals such as an aromatherapy treatment, time in the garden, experimenting with a new, colourful vegetable in the kitchen or visiting a friend.

And above all, adjust your expectations - of yourself, of your loved ones and of your holiday plans. As this article has discussed, sometimes a holiday is NOT the rejuvenating panacea you might have hoped for.

While I hope these tips will help you to improve your experience during your time off, try to let go of the pressure to pack in as much fun and/or relaxation as you can.

Instead, enjoy each moment as it comes and focus on the next healthy choice you can make.

© Linda Dessau, 2005.

Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, is the author of “The Everyday Self-Care Workbook”. For free and low-cost self-care resources, visit http://www.genuinecoaching.com/resources.html

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Entry Filed under: Vacation - Holiday