by: Andrea Jones
On my recent trip to Austin, TX for a 24-hour spree to see a dear friend get married, I found myself paying closer attention to the flight attendant. “In the event of an emergency, please put on your oxygen mask before assisting others.” The self-care message came through crystal clear: you can better show up and assist others when you care of yourself first. But I wanted to ask, “Angie, how am I to stay grounded this month? Am I screwed because Mercury’s in retrograde?” Fast-forward to this week when I felt like I was one task away from losing it as my daughter came home wishing for an Elf on a Shelf. So I’m putting #3 (Jot it down) into practice and taking charge of my self-care this holiday season. These 5 tips for self-care restore me in ways that in turn make adulting feel a little easier.
1. Get physical.
Start by following Maslow’s needs to a tee. When you are overcommitted or reaching capacity, taking care of others or meeting deadlines, it’s so easy to skip a meal, a pair of gloves, or sleep! Right now, pack a pair of mittens or a Perfect Bar in your bag and Go. To. Bed. Wake up ready to move your body however you think is best. Maybe you need the balance and challenge of an AFlow class. Maybe moving a heavier load in AStrong or going ham in an A20 is what will energize you the rest of the day or into your evening. Whatever it is, get physical and commit. Need some accountability? Make a personal connection and bring an accountability buddy – see #5.
2. Just say no.
And do it joyfully. I fall into the category of “people pleaser.” It’s taken therapy, experience, and getting older to realize that I can say no, and darnit, people will still like me! You don’t feel like putting the Elf in different mischievous spots nightly? Don’t! Find the things that bring you joy. Do those things instead. Creating family traditions that bring meaning to your life this season might be the ticket. For me, that means learning how to make tortillas de papa from my abuela this Christmas. Bonus: I’m hitting up #5!
3. Jot it down.
Got feelings? Good! Write them down. It’s remarkable how expressing your thoughts on paper can bring clarity to some of life’s biggest challenges. Even if it means keeping a checklist to prioritize your day and knocking off the big ticket items first, that is a great start! Find yourself keeping a Naughty and Nice list this season? Guess what – no one’s got time to be a scorekeeper, so you can let that one go. Unless it means keeping a tally during our Alchemy Holiday Hustle challenge, which brings you to #1 (literally).
4. Strike a balance or pose.
Ideally, both. This is my daily mantra: “I can’t be everything to everyone.” Say it. It’s liberating! That said, it’s not an excuse to be a jerk. Find ways to prioritize yourself (hint: follow tips #1-3) and accept that a perfect balance is like a unicorn. When in doubt, I find listening to the Hit List really loud and dancing around does the trick.
5. Make a personal connection.
Saying no to a holiday party doesn’t mean you can’t find a meaningful connection with someone 1:1. You can make a smoothie date, workout date, or both! My grandmother recently learned how to use her cell phone and I’m tickled pink every time she calls me. Go ahead, make someone’s day and send an email, text, or make a phone call! The right personal connection is like chicken soup for the stressed out soul.
How I get to my happy place and make self-care my favorite hobby always includes Alchemy. Right now, during the Holiday Hustle, I challenge you to check in 15 times and make yourself a priority. Aside from receiving a $20 retail credit from us when we tally up your visits, you may discover you can better show up and assist others because you took care of yourself first.
Andrea is a Coach and Founder of Alchemy. When she’s not working her Marketing magic, working out, running (she’s Boston Marathon 2018 bound!), or kicking it with her family in St. Paul, you can find her sipping on a Brasa Breeze.
