Holiday Selfcare Guide for Moms

How to prevent burnout this holiday season with planning and proper selfcare

In today’s post, I am sharing 10 ways to manage the holiday hustle and bustle without getting overwhelmed and exhausted. This holiday selfcare guide for moms is filled with practical tips and practices you can implement right away and experience instant burnout relief. With proper selfcare and planning practices, you can minimize burnout during this busy season. 

Let’s face it, who wants to wake up on Christmas morning in a funk and in a fog from running a million miles per minute in the days leading up to Christmas. Similarly, who wants to ring in the new year battling burnout.  That surely is not the best way to kick start the new year.

Here are some easy to implement tips to help ensure this time of the year is enjoyable and stress-free. 

Set Selfcare Goals

Set specific selfcare goals that appropriately take into consideration any potential time constraints that this time of the year brings.  Goal setting helps with accountability and execution especially when the goals are specific and measurable. 

I will be sharing 12 Festive Holiday Selfcare Ideas for Moms in an upcoming post.  Be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss it!

Plan Ahead

Waiting until the last minute to get things done can be very stressful.  Planning ahead allows you to start with the end in mind, allowing you to work backwards to create an appropriate “runway”.  Starting with the end in mind also gives you the opportunity to account for any potential delays and impediments. 

Here is a simple example to really drive home the concept. 

I love sending out holiday greeting cards.  It’s a super simple gesture to let your family and friends know that you care.  If I want my cards to arrive a week or two before Christmas, I have to factor in shipping time, purchasing the cards, and mailing them. Apply this same thought process to other activities to avoid falling behind on your to-do list.

Leverage Checklist

I’m convinced that checklists are lifesavers.  If your mommy toolkit or success system does not include any sort of checklist or to-do list tracking, then I highly encourage you to implement this practice.  You can opt for digital methods or pen and paper; both are equally effective when done properly. 

Journal

Journaling is a great selfcare practice.  I cannot emphasize this enough! Not only is journaling therapeutic, but it also helps with memory.  Read this blog post to learn 38 Ways to Use a Notebook.  The Career Mom Community J.O.T Journal of Thoughts deluxe notebook is a great journaling option. 

Burnout is often synonymous with mental exhaustion.  I have found that journaling gives moms an outlet for their thoughts and in turn reduces stress. You can also get creative and leverage journaling prompts.

Leverage Delivery Services

Delivery services help to save time and are a great way to manage the holiday hustle and bustle.  Delivery services are becoming more prevalent as online shopping continues to thrive.

Avoid Multitasking

Multitasking can be exhausting.  Switching from one task to the next simultaneously can cause mental fatigue.  For tasks that require a great deal of focus, multitasking can lead to unnecessary errors.  Necessary errors lead to rework which is often time consuming.  

It will be tempting during the holiday season to try and multitask, but please avoid these practices.  It happens to the best of us. 

Multitasking Do’s and Dont’s

Imagine trying to finish up a report for work while toggling between Amazon shopping and booking tickets to see a play.  I know you think you can master toggling between multiple activities, and I have no doubt that you can. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should do it. Focus on one task at a time so that you can avoid the perils of multitasking. 

Instead, focus on leveraging wait times to get things accomplished.  This is much different from multitasking.  This practice allows you to wait productively.  For example, gift search while you are waiting in the long lines at the post office.  Address your holiday cards while waiting at your kids practice. And so forth.

Shop Local

Avoid the hustle and bustle of mainstream stores by shopping at your local boutiques.  Often the customer service, from my experience, is much more helpful and personable, making the shopping experience more enjoyable and less stressful.

Overcommunicate

Communicate both your needs and your plan to your mom tribe, family, and colleagues.  During this busy time of the year, it’s best to overcommunicate as opposed to under communicating. It is important to find effective ways to communicate to avoid confusion later. 

Schedule Quality Time

Let your hair down and relax 

Have festive fun with your kids

Enjoy the magic of the moment by spending quality time with your loved ones.  Keep your selfcare goals at the forefront of your mind and check in on your progress.  

Check out this blog post for 10 Must Do Christmas Activities

10 Must Do Christmas Activities

Stick to your Routines

Don’t forget to stick to your “regularly scheduled program”.

Stick to your routines.  If you work out regularly, stick to it.  If you have a standing coffee chat, stick to it. Why?  Because these things often serve as an outlet and often a form of selfcare.  I get it, the holidays are busy.  Yes, but if we get off track from our routines it might be challenging to pick them back up.  Having some flexibility and wiggle room is important, but continue to live and go with your flow amidst the hustle and bustle.

What will you do this holiday season to prevent becoming burnt out?

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