{"id":36405,"date":"2025-12-05T23:14:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T23:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/6-simple-self-care-tips-for-the-busy-holiday-season\/"},"modified":"2025-12-05T23:14:47","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T23:14:47","slug":"6-simple-self-care-tips-for-the-busy-holiday-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/6-simple-self-care-tips-for-the-busy-holiday-season\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Simple Self-Care Tips for the Busy Holiday Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

The holidays can be filled with joy and jubilee, but they\u2019re also known for causing increased stress levels. That\u2019s why it\u2019s especially important to prioritize self-care<\/a>: Taking intentional time for yourself can help you stay grounded and prevent burnout.<\/p>\n

\u201cSelf-care is one of the most important things we can do for our mental and physical health, especially during this time of year when things can feel hectic,\u201d says Jason Kittle, massage therapist at LifeSpa in Savage, Minn. \u201cWhen we take care of our own needs, we can recharge, refocus, and remember what\u2019s most important. I know when I take care of myself, I\u2019m also better equipped to take care of others when gathering with friends and family for festivities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many often associate \u201cself-care\u201d with pampering, but the definition is much broader; it also encompasses other activities that support mind and body well-being. \u201cIt\u2019s often the simple daily habits that make the biggest difference,\u201d says Chrysta Bowe, hairstylist at LifeSpa in Brookfield, Wis. \u201cAt its core, self-care is about creating space for yourself to show up as the best version of you \u2014 for both you and people you love.\u201d<\/p>\n

To inspire you to take care of yourself this holiday season, we asked Kittle, Bowe, and Izah Nguyen, hairstylist at LifeSpa in Oakbrook, Ill., to share the strategies they feel make the biggest difference.<\/p>\n

1. Stay grounded in your everyday healthy-living habits.<\/h2>\n

It can be tempting to skimp on sleep or skip your workout when your schedule is packed, but Bowe encourages sticking to your healthy habits no matter what the day brings so you can continue to feel and function well.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting enough sleep and moving my body every day \u2014 whether it\u2019s a full workout or just a gentle stretch \u2014 is essential to my well-being,\u201d says Bowe. \u201cI also make a point to take small pauses throughout the day to slow down and check in with myself. It doesn\u2019t have to be elaborate. Sometimes it\u2019s stepping away from the noise to take a few deep breaths, savoring my morning coffee without multitasking, or reading a chapter of a self-help book. \u201cThose moments of mindfulness,\u201d she adds, \u201cmake my time with family and friends feel even more meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Give yourself permission to simplify.<\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed, look for ways to streamline your to-do list so you can focus on what\u2019s most meaningful. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to do everything,\u201d says Bowe. \u201cThe holidays are meant to be enjoyed, not just managed. Sometimes that means slowing down, letting go of perfection, and carving out time for things that make you feel good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kittle often reminds clients that they can say \u201cno\u201d to things when they express feeling overwhelmed. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to do everything people ask of you during the holiday season,\u201d he says. \u201cFocus on the memories you want to have in five to 10 years instead of trying to do everything now.\u201d<\/p>\n

The best advice Nguyen has ever received about the holidays is to simply \u201cdo what you can.\u201d \u201cLetting go of the pressure to live up to everyone else\u2019s expectations has been freeing,\u201d says Nguyen. \u201cWhat matters is creating memories and showing up with love. For me, self-care isn\u2019t about perfection \u2014 it\u2019s about giving myself grace, staying consistent, and remembering that taking care of myself is one of the most powerful ways I can care for others.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. Take a moment to pause.<\/h2>\n

Even on the busiest days, a peaceful moment can make all the difference. \u201cIn moments of stress or overwhelm, I take a couple of minutes to pause and breathe,\u201d says Kittle. \u201cI intentionally take 11 slow, controlled breaths to bring me back to equilibrium. During this breathing time, I remember the blessings I have. I focus on what I can control \u2014 not what I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bowe shares that her pause comes in the form of little rituals that feel indulgent, like a long \u201ceverything shower\u201d using all her favorite products. \u201cI also love to put on my favorite Ultimate Smooth hair mask from Wella and soak in the bathtub with a favorite book, instead of taking on a task that can honestly wait,\u201d she says. \u201cThese moments of intentional care help me reset and allow me to show up with more energy, patience, and joy throughout the season.\u201d (Read more: \u201c5 Steps for an At-Home Spa Day<\/a>.\u201d)<\/p>\n

4. Focus on gratitude.<\/h2>\n

\u2018Tis the season for practicing gratitude, which is proven to lift spirits and aid in developing a more positive outlook. Gratitude often shines during the holidays, but this is a wonderful practice to bring into the new year and beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, I add a gratitude practice to my morning routine,\u201d Bowe says. \u201cEach day, I think of one thing I\u2019m grateful for, write it on a Post-it note, and stick it on my mirror. Then, before Christmas \u2014 when the chaos really begins \u2014 I take a moment to read them all and reflect on why<\/em> I\u2019m grateful for each one. It always brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kittle also takes time for gratitude. \u201cFind a few minutes each day to think of what you\u2019re grateful for and say it aloud,\u201d he adds. \u201cI find that when I speak aloud my gratitudes, hearing them reinforces my feelings of gratefulness. This directs your mind and body to focus on what you have and what\u2019s going right instead of falling into the trap of thinking about what you lack or what\u2019s going wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

5. Try not to compare your experience to others.<\/h2>\n

You are a unique individual on your own journey. Remember this to avoid falling down any comparison rabbit holes \u2014 and if you need to, give yourself permission to take a social media break.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe holiday season can often feel stressful when we\u2019re constantly looking at social media and seeing what others are doing,\u201d says Nguyen. \u201cWe sometimes feel a reflex to compare ourselves to others, and it can leave us feeling like we\u2019re not enough or our experience isn\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes self-care for me looks like taking a social media break to be more present with myself and my experiences,\u201d she continues. \u201cWhen at a gathering or party, disconnect from technology and be in the moment. When you\u2019re connected with like-minded people, it recharges and calms you. It\u2019s amazing how quickly you realize you\u2019re having the best time being present.\u201d<\/p>\n

6. Hit the reset button with a feel-good spa or salon appointment.<\/h2>\n

A spa or salon service can help you enjoy some well-deserved pampering or targeted relaxation support. \u201cMy go-to during the holidays is a custom massage at the LifeSpa,\u201d says Kittle. \u201cMassage helps relieve stress and muscle tension. Dedicating that time for yourself can also help you slow down and enjoy the moment. Depending on your needs, you can add CBD<\/a> for extra stress-relief and relaxation benefits, hot stones for increasing circulation and inflammation, or specify areas that need extra attention like your head or feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

No matter what your holiday season looks like, it\u2019s important to make time to care for yourself, whether that\u2019s simply a moment of peace or a full day of pampering.<\/p>\n

(LifeSpa has more than 165 locations across the United States and Canada and offers a wide range of relaxing services for hair, skin, nails, and body. You can easily book your appointment in the Life Time app.<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The post 6 Simple Self-Care Tips for the Busy Holiday Season<\/a> appeared first on Experience Life<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The holidays can be filled with joy and jubilee, but they\u2019re also known for causing increased stress levels. That\u2019s why it\u2019s especially important to prioritize self-care: Taking intentional time for yourself can help you stay grounded and prevent burnout. \u201cSelf-care is one of the most important things we can do for our mental and physical […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36406,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36405","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-life"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-10-25 14:46:59","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36405"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36405\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36405"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}