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While January is a time to look forward and think about what you want to accomplish in 2019, it’s also a chance for you to take a deep breath. The last 2-3 months have probably been a little crazy for you with holiday prep, shopping, cooking, keeping up with normal household stuff, plus your J-O-B on top of that. Now is the time for you to take some time for YOU. Focus on you. And start the year off in a grounded place. Here are 5 ways to recharge after the holiday rush!
Do something that quiets your mind.
Whether you’re a reader, a Netflix binge-er, a baker, an artist/crafter, a runner. Whatever you do to clear out your head (and/or escape for a bit). Do that! Maybe it’s time to grab that new Diamond Art set you received for Christmas and get started on that! Or a puzzle out a new puzzle.
Movement
Get out and move a bit. If you live somewhere frigid like I do (thanks, Minnesota), find an indoor track to walk around. Here, we can use the track for free at the high school in the late afternoons and evenings. And a community center near us also has a track we can use for free. Search out your local options.
The other thing I’m trying out this year…a standing desk! Yep, you read that right. As a blogger and tiny business owner, I end up sitting the majority of my days. I’ve discovered that I do enjoy standing and writing. It helps me get my thoughts out of my head. But. Both my kitchen counter (I mean, who wants to work around all those snacks all the time) and my folding vendor event table that I can raise up to counter-height are not the right height for me to stand ergonomically correct and type on my laptop. And let’s face it, I’m getting older every year (we’ll just say I’m 40+ at this point) and my poor back would hate me for slouching all that time. I am gifting myself this adjustable desk from Amazon for my birthday this year! I can’t wait to have it arrive and start using it with a balance board!
Yoga, Pilates, swimming are other ideas…there’s so many movement based activities to help you center yourself!
Spend some of that holiday money
I know it may seem counter-intuitive to go spend money after you probably just spent at least two months spending money. But, hear me out on this one. I’m not talking about spending YOUR money. I’m talking about spending OTHER people’s money. LOL! Did you receive a bit of cash or a holiday check from your parents or grandparents, maybe a favorite Auntie? Yes, yes. The responsible thing to do with it would be to put it in the bank and use it for a necessity like bills or taxes and whatnot.
- However, was there something out there that you asked for and didn’t receive?
- Was there something you really wanted to add to your wish list but didn’t for some reason?
- Maybe something slightly higher priced that you didn’t think was appropriate to ask someone else to buy for you?
If you answered yes to any of these, welllll, what are you waiting for? Now’s the time to add that new Michelle Obama book to your shelf, or grab that new web cam you’ve been eyeing for the last couple months, or maybe treat yourself to a new pair of Rothy’s. I’m not saying that these are the things I just bought myself…..oh wait, that would be a lie. I totally did just treat myself to these!! LOL! Now, you go treat yo’self!
Take a Bubble Bath
There’s a reason January 8th is National Bubble Bath day! First of all, who doesn’t want to burn calories while totally relaxing??! This seems too good to be true, right? Well, don’t worry, I looked it up for you. And this is real! Of course, if you are concerned about actually burning calories through exercise, I suggest something more rigorous than soaking. But. If you’re like me and hate exercising and rarely do it, even though you know it’s good for you (please, don’t lecture me…I know, I know), at least you don’t have to feel guilty taking that bubble bath when you want to! It’s good for you for MANY reasons! And I’m just about positive they chose January for National Bubble Bath day to encourage us all to practice self-care after the holidays!
Hang out with people who bring positivity to your life
I’m adding this last one just in case any extroverts are reading this post. LOL! I am a true introvert and if I had my way, I would hibernate for all of January after the hubbub of Thanksgiving, followed by Christmas, followed by New Years (we have 7 separate family holiday gatherings, and that doesn’t even count Thanksgiving dinner and fun outings with friends in November and December). By the time January rolls around, I’m done. But I get it. Not everyone feels that way. Some (meaning extroverts) don’t know what to do with themselves when all of sudden they find themselves with time on their hands. My husband is one of these creatures. He gets anxious if he doesn’t have something to do or he goes too long without visiting with friends. The only thing I caution here, during this self-care time, make sure the people you are hanging out with bring positivity and light into your life. Leave the Negative Nellies at home.
I just named 5 ways to recharge after the holidays in January. There are probably a gazillion more I haven’t thought of! Tell me in the comments, WHAT DO YOU DO to recharge after the holidays?
