5 Self-Care Tips for Parents During the Holiday Rush

The holidays are here! And the holiday rush is real! The reality is—while everything sparkles, your energy levels don’t. From shopping to wrapping gifts and then cooking and maybe throwing a few parties at home, there’s no surprise why most parents often find themselves running on empty. After all, you can't pour more from an empty mug. Moreover, how can you really enjoy the holidays with your family if you’re stressed out most of the time? This is where the need for self-care becomes essential.

Read below this article to explore some of the amazing self-care tips for parents to deal with the holiday struggles. 

The truth is, kids, an hour-long bubble bath may appear a distant dream when you have got little ones who keep on banging on your door asking whether Santa is watching them right now! Despite this, it's essential to keep your self-care a priority too, even if it's just a few micro moments of joy. It's easy! Just sip your coffee while it’s still hot. Or maybe a few deep breaths in the car before heading into the mall. Need something fun? Dance to your favorite song while folding laundry. Did you know that according to a study, even 5-10 minutes of mindfulness a day can reduce stress by 25 percent?

Don't be surprised when we say the term ’silent night’ was probably not introduced by parents. But do you know skipping your sleep for wrapping gifts will just leave you ending up being cranky and exhausted? Therefore, sleep is essential. In fact, according to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need 7–9 hours of sleep per night. However, 35 percent of parents average less than six hours during the holiday season. Lack of sleep can actually weaken your immune system, dampen your mood, and make you nap at any point of the day. The truth is—wrapping can wait, but your sleep shouldn't.

It's time to ask yourself—what’s the point of all your holiday efforts? Is it to click a few Instagram aesthetic photos or to create some unforgettable memories with your family? The answer is—it's the latter. Almost 91 percent of parents believe the holidays are about spending quality time with loved ones. Despite this, most of you get caught in the struggles and forget to cherish the moments that genuinely matter. Therefore, it's important to remind yourself that burnt cookies are okay and everything doesn't need perfection.

Most parents often focus more on things that have been left undone. It's time to change your way of thinking. So, instead focus on things you have done, no matter how small they are! The next time you wrapped one gift, that’s a win too! Did you know reflecting on your accomplishments can actually reduce your stress by 25 percent? This holiday season, remind yourself of the amazing work you do every day.

Mark one day during the holiday season as the ‘no-expectation’ day. That’s the day of no cooking, no decorating, and no to-do lists. It's simply a day to exist and enjoy with your family. Perhaps it could be a pajama day with movies and popcorn, or a random road trip. According to a study, it has been revealed that almost 64 percent of people feel stressed during the holidays because of unrealistic expectations. Therefore, by taking out some time to relax without the weight of ‘should,’ you can actually stay away from the stress, at least for a day.

Parenting is overwhelming, and even more so during the holiday season. Therefore, it's important to prioritize your self-care by actually focusing on things that truly matter, and often setting your own boundaries can do wonders when it comes to dealing with this season with some grace. That too without getting exhausted. Also read our article on helpful tips for a stress-free winter holiday.