Happy First Day of Winter! Here in Virginia, we often have mild temperatures around Christmas but this year, we are really going to feel Jack Frost nipping at the nose!
The frigid temperatures this week are no joke. Many people will be traveling by car this week so I thought I would share some winter preparedness tips. Even if you are just going to the store, you should be ready in case your car breaks down or you have another emergency.
If you haven’t yet done so, right now is a great time to prepare your car for driving in winter conditions.
Stay home, if you can. If you can reduce trips or avoid driving completely by planning ahead, that would be the safest decision (understanding that it isn’t feasible for everyone). Roads are dangerous at 20 degrees are below, because of ice. Cars don’t operate well in the cold. Driving in very cold weather is hard on your car. You can also get frostbite very quickly at low temperatures.
Have a reputable mechanic check out your car, including the electrical system.
Replace your windshield wipers often.
Fill your car with gas so the gas line doesn’t freeze.
The cold makes it hard for your battery to work, among other things, especially if your battery is 3 years old or older. When starting your car in frigid temps, let it idle for 2 minutes before driving.
Budget extra time for trips and drive the conditions. Turn on your lights, slow down, allow extra space between your car and others and increase stopping distance. Accelerate and brake slowly.
Get the fluids topped off, such as window washing fluid.
Cold deflates your tires somewhat. Check your tires for wear and air pressure.
Park your car in a garage, if possible. If parking outdoors, do not park under a tree. Try a car cover.
Stock your car with emergency supplies, especially blankets and extra gloves.
I’ve talked about the healing ritual of Blue Christmas before in this blog, a practice that is observed today on December 21st. On Monday, I mentioned that I would be lighting a blue candle and fondly remembering my aunt and former brother in law, both of whom passed away in 2022. Unfortunately, I have another dear one to mourn. My mother passed away yesterday afternoon. I know I am not alone in grief this holiday season. If you have lost someone, I hope you find comfort and meaning today.
Time to take care of you, so you can take care of others this holiday season. Here are some self-care reminders, a quick workout and a meditation for today. You are beautiful! You’ve got this!
Holiday Self-Care Tips from Dominee at BlessingManifesting.com
Here is a fitness routine for that is themed for the holidays from Fabulous 50s, one of my favorites on YouTube. Enjoy!
Today is the December full moon and that means it is a great day to meditate! Try this guided meditation from Alina Alive, one of my favorites on YouTube. Namaste!
What will you be doing to take care of yourself today?
A lot of people feel stressed about the holidays. Almost 40% of people feel more stressed during the holidays, according to the American Psychological Association. What about you? See if anything on this list applies to you — you feel stressed because…
You don’t have enough money to buy the presents you want to give or to travel to see your family.
You feel like your family judges you or makes you feel bad about your choices.
The holidays trigger sad memories of an unhappy childhood.
A loved one abuses alcohol or becomes abusive during the holidays.
You just went through a breakup or you lost someone around the holidays, and ever since, it just doesn’t seem the same.
You become overwhelmed with expectations and extra responsibilities.
You have a job that involves dealing with a lot of other stressed people (retail, ER, etc.)
Did you check one or more items on the list? Well, I know how you feel. I used to get stressed about the holidays. Did you ever wonder why things sometimes break down at Christmas? Especially on Christmas Day and the day after Christmas? Well, there could be several reasons.
Disruptions in routines can be stressful. People are used to doing things in a set way, going to school or going to work, for example. They feel effective in those settings, generally, and they know what to expect.
Too much togetherness with loved ones can be stressful. Parents may not be used to caring for children who are typically in school or day care, and children are high-need. Family dysfunctions can seem more acute when they are concentrated over a span of days. That can result in raw nerves, toxic family patterns, addictive behaviors and arguing.
Unmet expectations can result in tears, resentment and arguing. Let’s face it, real family dynamics rarely meet the standard of a Hallmark Christmas movie. When loved ones or friends don’t meet expectations, resentment and disappointment can set in. I can remember a Christmas Day being almost ruined once because someone became disappointed by a gift received from another person, and that person couldn’t move past it. It can be a little thing that upsets the cart. One or more family members may feel unappreciated or taken for granted. Or people can just try so hard that by the time Christmas rolls around, they are exhausted, depressed or even sick.
People just don’t know what to do with themselves. Before Christmas, there’s a lot to do. Shopping, food preparation, performances, movies, sending cards, etc. All that bustle seems to come to screeching halt on Christmas Day and the day after Christmas. After the presents are open, what do you do?
So, basically, for many families, by the time Christmas rolls around, people can be cranky (or worse). I learned that the key to feeling more in control and making the holidays be what I want is to develop a plan. Not everyone has to be on board. But for your own well-being, it may help.
Make the Plan
When you have a plan to keep busy, it can help ease the pain of the loss or disappointment you feel. If you live with family members, planning activities can keep bickering to a minimum, because for at least part of the time, your family will be occupied with activities.
Set Aside a Day to Honor the Blue Feelings
Although it is generally healthier to see the positive side of things, it is also important to feel your feelings. The trick is to manage feelings that might otherwise take over your plans. So, like others, I set aside one day to really connect to any sad feelings and mourn my losses. That day is Blue Christmas, December 21. It’s an observance that people use to remember loved ones who have passed, but you can also use this day to deal with feelings of loss of all types, loss of a job or relationship, for instance, or a goal that did not materialize for you in 2022. I do a ritual that involves meditating with a blue candle and journaling about my feelings and experiences in a blue notebook. I say a prayer, and allow myself to cry or just feel whatever feelings come up. I reflect on people who have passed, or people who are no longer in my life, as well as any setbacks or disappointments that still pain me. Since, I know I have this day set aside for those big feelings, they don’t overwhelm me anymore. But you don’t have to wait until December 21st to achieve this kind of closure. You can do it anytime you feel overwhelmed by feelings of loss or disappointment.
Christmas Day and Day After Game Plan
Be realistic about what could go down. If there are members of your circle that drink too much or tend to become unpleasant (or worse) at Christmas or the day after Christmas (when people tend to get really grouchy), you probably know that pattern by now. Maybe you can think of a way to spend Christmas somewhere else, or to reduce the amount of time you spend with them.
Get out of the house and outdoors. Cabin fever seems especially prevalent on Christmas Day. Going outside for a walk or a bike ride is one way to get people off screens. A big plus is that the exercise increases mood-boosting endorphins.
Plan a structured activity for at least part of the day on Christmas and the day after Christmas. For example, maybe on Christmas Day, you will go a movie in the afternoon (buy tickets in advance) all together as a family. Or you might go to Busch Gardens Christmas Town in Williamsburg, or ice skating outdoors. Another idea is to go to one of the area light displays at night. Being entertained is one way to (hopefully) avoid family arguments and make memories.
If you live alone, plan a variety of short, enjoyable activities that will keep you busy much of the day. Focus on the many positive aspects of being alone, #1 being absolutely free from potential family drama! Switching about every hour or two to a new activity keeps your brain active and your mood up. Alternate reading or watching TV with active activities like walking or lifting weights. Try a guided meditation, a craft and some cooking, or whatever activity interests you.
Simplify the family meals. Instead of making a huge meal on Christmas Day, like a second Thanksgiving, which can be stressful and pricey, make an easier meal the whole family enjoys, such as lasagna (from frozen) and salad, or spaghetti and meatballs and garlic bread. It’s less pressure than babysitting a turkey all morning and it takes the burden off the one or two people who make the meal and clean up. On the day after Christmas, the whole family might go out for breakfast or lunch at a restaurant everyone likes. If you set the plan in advance for that, then everyone has something to look forward to.
Volunteer. Shelters for people and for animals always need volunteers. Volunteering on Christmas Day or the day after gives your family a sense of purpose and makes them feel good about themselves. And it keeps them busy, and busy people are too busy to bicker.
Stick to routines, like meal times, and encourage children not to sleep in more than an hour later than usual. Disrupted sleep schedules turn on crankiness.
If you have a family, model how to manage stress. Talk about what works for you. Show your children how to belly breathe and progressively relax their muscles. Meditate or do yoga together. Take walks outdoors.
What I do NOT recommend for Christmas Day and the day after Christmas…
Going to Washington, DC (unless you live there, of course). All the attractions will be closed and there will be many drunk people, on the metro and elsewhere, and some of them will be scary. There’s nowhere to eat or use the bathroom. The one attraction that is open is in the National Christmas Tree and it will be pitifully crowded with lots of crying kids. Go see the tree on any other day but Christmas Day. And be aware that muggings and purse snatchings go way up on Christmas Day. If you venture into the city, leave your valuables safe at home.
Going to Mount Vernon on Christmas Day. It’s one of the few places that is open so a lot of people flock there, which means it is really crowded. It’s hard to find a parking space or get something to eat and everything is pricey. The attractions will look exactly the same before and after Christmas Day, so go then and save yourself a headache.
Returning merchandise or using gift cards the day after Christmas. Having worked in retail for many years, I can tell you that the scene at stores is not pretty on the day after Christmas. I would volunteer to work on Christmas Eve to avoid working on the 26th. Sales people are exhausted, the stock is a mess, and the customers are very grouchy. They are grouchy because they did not come up with a plan and they just decided to make it a shopping day. If there are kids, the kids are just miserable to be dragged out shopping. And they are subconsciously bummed that Christmas is, in their mind, over. So everyone will be miserable. The parking lots will be a mess. Do yourself a favor and avoid all shopping the day after Christmas. There will still be plenty of markdowns in a day or two.
Taking down your decorations right away. Did you know that most people leave their tree up through New Year’s? And there are 12 days of Christmas, right up until January 6th. Area light displays and Christmas Town in Williamsburg are open until January 8. If you plan it right, you might be able to skip the post-Christmas blues. You and your family might feel less bummed about Christmas Day and that feeling of finality if you plan little bits of Christmas celebrating after the 25th.
Check the Calendar for ideas. Keeping busy means the blues can’t catch up with you. You got this!
Do you have the Christmas blues? You are not alone. In fact, as much as I love Christmas and everything about it, I am having a Blue Christmas and I am really, really sad. Perhaps you have experienced
A recent breakup or divorce.
The passing of a loved one.
You lost a pet.
Separation from a loved one.
Dementia in a parent or grandparent.
Child custody issues.
An illness or watching a loved one suffer.
Empty nest: children moved away.
A personal setback or disappointment.
Family conflicts.
Seasonal depression (SAD) or other form of depression.
Memories of sad events that happened during Christmas.
Loneliness or isolation.
Anxiety about the pandemic, social injustice, the environment or world events.
December is a wonderful time for family traditions and giving. But it can also be a hectic and stressful month. That means that devoting time to your self-care is more important than ever.
The December Self-Care Challenge features 31 days of self-care ideas. Now, no pressure! I have been doing these challenges for more than a year and I have never yet completed ALL of them. You can do the challenges in any order you wish or complete more than one a day. Feel free to alter them to your preferences or traditions. Download the December self-care challenge 2021.
Enjoy an Advent Calendar.Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar costs $5 and you can buy additional copies to send to friends. The theme for 2021 is London. There are fun little games and activities for each day between December 1 and 25. It’s a sweet way to celebrate everyday and the puzzles are good for exercising your brain 🙂 so it is an affordable form of self care. Besides, it’s nice to have something to look forward to each day. Today is also Mistletoe Day and Christmas Lights Day.
Make a donation. Giving is a form of self-care because it makes you feel good about yourself. And one of the easiest ways to give is to put some cash in the Salvation Army Kettle! Did you know the song, Silver Bells, is about that?
Decorate!Whatever winter holiday you celebrate, go all out and decorate your home with seasonal touches, like cosy throws, pillows and decorations. Don’t forget white mini lights — they are inexpensive (less than $3 for a string of 100 lights) and they give your spirits a lift as the days grow shorter. I have them strung around my bedroom for a cozy glow. Today is also Make A Gift Day.
Get some fresh air. Today is Ice Skating Day – does it get any more delightfully old-fashioned than watching people glide across the ice (or taking a spin, yourself?) Visit an outdoor rink or holiday village and soak up some analog atmosphere. It is also Cookie Day today.
Light a yummy candle.Tonight is the 2nd Sunday in Advent, a time to light candles and reflect. Whether you celebrate this tradition or not, lighting a candle on Sunday evening is a wonderful way to relax ahead of a busy week. I like this single wick candle from Bath and Body Works in Hot Cocoa and Cream. It makes my whole apartment smell delicious!
Play Santa Claus. Today is St. Nicholas Day (also known as Santa Claus). Donate a new unwrapped toy to the Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots. Check the website for drop-off locations and needs.
Mindfully meditate.Meditation is good for relieving stress and enhancing your cognition. Here is a guided meditation that is perfect for December.
8. Watch a holiday classic movie. Escape the worries of life and watch a feel-good movie. Many are free to watch on TubiTV and other streaming services. Some of my favorites: A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Bishop’s Wife, A Christmas Carol, Rudolph, and newer ones like A Grumpy Cat Christmas, Mistletoe and Menorahs, A Christmas Movie Christmas, Holiday Engagement and Love at the Christmas Table. Today is also Christmas Tree Day and Brownie Day.
9. Send holiday greeting cards.Social connection is an important form of self-care. Today is Christmas Card Day so it is the perfect day to mail cards to your loved ones and even the President! If Christmas is not your holiday, there are other holiday cards, as well as New Year’s cards, which everyone celebrates. I worked at Hallmark for years, so I think they have the best ones but remember you can buy also buy Hallmark cards at Dollar Tree, nice ones, for a fraction of the cost.
10. Work that body!Start out this self-care month with an easy, holiday-themed workout that takes just 15 minutes to complete. Nothing dispels stress and boosts your immune system like movement.
11. Make a self-care stocking for yourself. Stores are loaded this year with facial masks, foot masks, bath gels, bath bombs, soaps, lotions, fragrant oils and candles, lip balms, aloe-infused spa socks, exfoliating gloves, makeup kits and brushes, sparkly nail polish, hair accessories, car fragrances, journals and pens for good prices. And of course, chocolate! Buy some to enjoy now and some to put under your Christmas tree. Today is also Reindeer Day.
12. Mindful holiday coloring or crafting. Being creative is a form of self-expression and self-care. Pick something fun to do today, maybe while enjoying this relaxing ambient video. Today is also the 3rd Sunday in Advent, Poinsettia Day and Gingerbread House Day.
13. Today is Cocoa Day!Fortunately, cocoa is loaded with antioxidants so it is good for you. Today, combine the goodness of a hot cup of cocoa with some down time making a list of things you are grateful for today. It’s a self-care twofer! Add a candy cane or whipped cream for extra cheer.
15. Today is International Tea Day! It’s a perfect day for brewing a cup of hot tea and curling up with a book. Some recommendations: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, The Miraculous Staircase by Arthur Gordon, the Gospel according to Luke and As Ye Sow by Dorothy Canfield. My favorite seasonal teas include Winter Spice herbal tea by Twinings, Constant Comment by Bigelow and Peppermint herbal tea by Celestial Seasonings.
16. Here is a cozy yoga workout to relieve stress and increase your flexibility.
17.Celebrate or create family traditions. The holidays are all about traditions. Today, take some time to curate your traditions. Which traditions will you customize or leave behind? Which will you continue and cherish? Which traditions will you begin this year? Some seasonal traditions include the Italian Feast of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, Secret Santa, Christmas crackers, sending cards, making handmade gifts, Elf on the Shelf, lighting Advent candles, wearing family pyjamas, hanging a pickle ornament, cutting down a live tree, reading The Night Before Christmas or other Christmas story, roasting chestnuts, hanging mistletoe, participating in a cookie exchange, etc. Today is also Ugly Christmas Sweater Day.
18. Today is Bake Cookies Day. Bake your favorites to eat or give away.
20. Today is Go Caroling Day. Not too many people go caroling anymore but you can still sing your favorite songs at home or in the car. Singing is an excellent and free form of self-care. It is very good for your lungs and mental health. Read about the health benefits of singing. Just remember, we are still in a pandemic so avoid crowds while singing to reduce viral spread.
21. Today is the Winter Solstice, Yule, the first day of winter and the longest night of the year. Take a brisk walk outdoors during the day to enjoy nature in her winter phase. Tonight, relax by a real or virtual Yule log.
22. Drive around to see holiday lightsin your neighborhood or others that put on a good show.
23. Rub your feet and legs with a peppermint lotion and raise your feet above your heart to improve your vein health.
24. To celebrate Christmas Eve, have a special candlelight dinner at home.
25. Merry Christmas! Have a joyful and meaningful day.
26. Take a winter walk today and really appreciate nature. The day after Christmas can be a let down for some people. Walking outdoors can help dispel blues and tension. It can also give you some much needed space (or quiet) and can be a good form of self-care.
27. Buy a 2022 planner and some calendar stickers. Fed Ex, Wal-Mart, Staples and Target have good planners and you can also find stickers at Dollar Tree. Look for a planner that has space to write goals, track self-care and jot gratitude lists. These features added greatly to my self-care practice in 2021 and made a real difference in my attitude and well-being. If you can’t find a calendar you like with those features, consider using the Mintgreen Wellness Journal ($10, Walmart.com).
28. Create a vision board of 2022 goals.Maybe the theme of your board (which can be a collage on a small or large sheet of white poster board) will be self-care! Incorporate favorite photos, stickers, motivational quotes (you can print from Pinterest), affirmations and goals. The vision board can reflect how you want to feel in the new year. I kept mine up all year and it always gave me a lift to look at it. Plus – it really helped keep me focused on only a few, very specific goals.
29. Write down your resolutions and 2022 bucket list.
30. Devote time on the day before New Year’s Eve to pampering. I think it’s a good practice to go into the New Year looking and feeling your best. Break out the products from your self-care stocking and give your face, body, feet and hair beauty treatments and set aside time for relaxation.
31. Celebrate New Year’s Eve! Whether you are out or at home, alone or with friends, make it a special night. At the very least, prepare something nice to eat, have something bubbly to drink (non-alcoholic is fine, that’s what I do) and stay up until midnight to ring in the New Year.
Welcome to the self-care month of November! This month, we focus on the self-care themes of gratitude and abundance, setting aside time to think about what you are grateful in life, express appreciation and give back. An intentional gratitude practice can promote your contentment, emotional well-being, self-esteem and sense of connection. It can help you connect deeply to your values and what you consider really important in life. That’s why gratitude practices are an important form of self-care.
If you read my post on January self-care, then you know that today is the day for filling up your new 2021 calendar with events and special days. Planning happy times to look forward to is a wonderful form of self-care!
Make sure you don’t miss thse self-care days in 2021…
Jan. 8 National Bubble Bath Day
Jan. 9 Vision Board Day
Jan. 24 Compliment Day
Feb. 28 Intl. Hygge Day
Mar. 6 National Day of Unplugging
Mar. 15 National Napping Day
Mar. 19 World Sleep Day
Mar. 20 Intl. Day of Happiness
Mar. 26 Self-Confidence Day
Apr. 7 National Walking Day
Apr. 9 ASMR Day
Apr. 21 World Creativity Day
Apr. 25 Crystal Day and National Mani Pedi Day
May 1 World Laughter Day and National Fitness Day and Therapeutic Massage Day
Are you ready for your January Self-Care Challenge? I have created 31 challenges for you to complete. Don’t worry, they are easy! January self care challenge (download and print)
(1) Eat black-eyed peas and greens. It’s good luck and they are good for you!
(2) Watch the Quadranids meteor shower. If you can’t see them, just take a moment to look at the night sky.
(3) Fill a planner with events. There are so many things to look forward to in 2021. Mark the events and days you don’t want to miss in your calendar, along with birthdays and anniversaries. It will give you a lift because it will give you something to look forward to. We all need that.
(4) Today is National Spaghetti Day! Spaghetti would be the perfect warm meal for a cold day. Spaghetti sauce is good for you — unless it has lots of sugar in it. Pick a sauce that doesn’t have sugar, like Simply Ragu (or make your own). I think the kind without sugar tastes exactly like the regular kind! Important: researchers are finding that the antioxidant lycopene, a nutrient found in tomato sauce, appears to be useful in treating the corona virus. Lycopene also helps prevent heart disease, liver disease and some cancers.
(5) Pick a book to read this month. Something you have been meaning to read but haven’t made the time for, maybe.
(6) Save a little money. I know it is hard to save right now. Last year, I saved pennies, dimes and nickesls in a can. (i use my quarters for laundry). It was just my spare change, so I didn’t really miss it. I cashed it in yesterday and it was $25! And I really needed it this month. Even if you only save a $1 a week, by the end of the year, just think: you would have saved $52! If you saved $10 a month, you’d have $120.
(7) Here is a winter guided meditation for today…it is only a couple of minutes long.
(8) Today is Bubble Bath Day! Enjoy!
(9) Today is Vision Board Day! You can make a Vision Board on a bulletin board, in your journal or planner, on a poster or on a smaller sheet of paper. Vision Boards help you visualize how you will feel when you achieve a goal…or what achieving that goal may look like. You can cut out phrases and pictures from magazines, Pinterest or Google to make a collage that inspires you. I also like to use the paper pads from Michael’s, as well as stickers.
(10) Complete a crossword puzzle. Word games are good for your brain. I like the ones in Women’s World magazine because they are fairly easy but if you are up to the New York Times one, have at it! Womens World magazine also has sweet affirmations you can cut out and post to inspire and motivate you.
(11) Today is Clean Your Desk Day! January is such a good month for organizing and de-cluttering. You’ll work more effectively with a clean desk.
(12) Today is Stick to Your Resolutions Day! Check back with this blog on January 12th for ideas on how to stick to your resolutions.
(13) Create a sacred space in your home. I think this will be a fun project I plan to do. All that is needed is to set up some corner of your home, in your bedroom, perhaps, where you can meditate or pray. Add a floor pillow or other comfortable seating, maybe a candle, plant, crystal or other item to help you focus. There are some beautiful examples on Pinterest.
(14) Take Vitamin D and avoid foods and drinks with high fructose corn syrup. Especially in winter, most of us are deficient in Vitamin D. If you are elderly, obese or a person of color, you need even more Vitamin D than others. Even if your doctor says you are not deficient, taking Vitamin D is a good idea. Researchers and doctors believe taking Vitamin D supplements may help protect you against the corona virus. However, high fructose corn syrup interferes with how the body uses Vitamin D. So avoid or reduce soda and other foods with HFCS during the pandemic.
(15) Take an herbal tea break and make a list of things you are grateful for today.
(16) Here is a Yoga workout for beginners to chase away the winter blues.
(17) Our skin gets dry in the winter. Try soaking your feet for about a half hour. You can add some vinegar to the water. Then use a pumice stone to remove dried skin from cracked heels.
(18) Cook broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts or cauliflower. These foods are low-calorie, full of nutrients and fiber-rich. But important to know for now, they also increase your immunity, according to Woman’s World, which is very important during the pandemic. And Better Homes & Gardens reports this month that eating just a tiny serving daily can lower your chances of forming calcium in your arteries (which can lead to stroke or heart attack) by 46%!
(19) Reduce your stress with this soothing jazz music video.
(20) Have you tried reading affirmations? Have you tried reading them aloud? They can make a big difference in your mental wellbeing. Try saying one while looking in the mirror at yourself.
(21) List ten things you are proud about. Have you tried this? A terrific mood booster. Worth the investment of time!
(22) De-clutter and organize your bathroom. This is a relatively small task that pays off in big benefits because we spend so much time in the bathroom. Clear out everything from under the sink or in storage cabinets and give it a good scrubbing. Toss expired medicines and any makeup older than a year old. Now, when you walk into the bathroom, you’ll find just what you need — a soothing way to start the day.
(23) Connection is so important while we remain safer at home. Since getting together with friends isn’t recommended during a pandemic, schedule time to talk or meet on Zoom to catch up.
(24) Today is National Compliment Day! Make it specific and sweet. You’ll feel great, too!
(25) Run your humidifier. During the cold months, running a humidifier will keep your nasal passages from drying out (especially good for preventing croup in babies!). This helps reduce your chance of getting a respiratory infection. It also eliminates those pesky electric shocks you get in cold weather! It will make your home feel warmer and more cozy. And it’s good for your skin. If you use distilled water, calcium deposits won’t form on the heating element of your humidifier. No humidifer? Open the bathroom doors after showers or boil pots of water to humidify the air.
(26) Here is a challenge: take a walk outside for thirty minutes (unless it is very cold). While you are out, try to touch at least ten trees. If no one is looking, really focus on connecting with at least one tree. What do you feel when you place both hands on the trunk?
(27) Make homemade soup or chili. The one good thing about the pandemic is we have all become better cooks! On a cold day, what can beat a steaming bowl of soup or chili? Here is my easy-to-make chili recipe.
(28) Have a no-complaint day. I don’t know about you, but I complain TOO much. I’m not proud of that. Sometimes, complaining becomes contagious! Or it can be a way to connect socially, because everyone needs to vent, sometimes. Try to keep your complaining to a minimum by thinking of ways to solve your problems, instead (or live with them, if you can’t solve them). You will be amazed how you feel if you try not to complain once for an entire day!
(29) Tour a museum exhibit, online. Of course, most museums are closed now. But looking at art is so restoring for the soul. You can take a mini tour of just about any major art museum in the world on YouTube. Maybe you’d like to pick some beautifully colorful paintings to look at, since winter can be a little dreary. Matisse is good for the winter blahs! Here is a talk about one of my favorite paintings by the artist, Eduoard Manet.
(30) Hydrate with lemon water. Do you drink enough water? I don’t and I think almost no one does! But we all mean to. I definitely drink more water, however, when I take the time to put lemon slices in a pitcher. Cucumber slices is refreshing, too!
(31) Quarantine safely. There is no better self-care activity we can undertake right now than to NOT get sick during the pandemic. You know what that means: frequent handwashing, cleaning surfaces, wearing a mask and avoiding indoor public spaces….and not getting together with people outside of our household if we can help it. I know this is hard. It won’t last forever, but we have to be diligent for a few more months and now, more than ever.
Happy New Year and bright blessings to you all in 2021!
I published self-care challenges for September, October and November and you know, these things really work! The accountability keeps me on track and I am getting much better at life-balance and self-care. So, here’s one for the holiday month of December. There are 31 activities on the tracker. Color a star for each one you complete, in any order you choose. However, the order does follow the calendar for themes. To make it even easier and more fun, here are links and details that go with each day (for example, links to the yoga and meditation videos).
I invite you to post selfies of yourself doing these activities on the Cool Yule Facebook Page!
A lot of people feel stressed about the holidays. Almost 40% of people feel more stressed during the holidays, according to the American Psychological Association. What about you? See if anything on this list applies to you — you feel stressed because…
Cool Yule 
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