Mental Health

Self-care Rituals To Bring In The Festive Cheer

Has the festivities got you running in circles, with no time for yourself? Drop everything to squeeze in some TLC for yourself with these simple, quick and effective ‘me-time’ rituals!

By Aditi

19 Oct 2022

Festivities can be a time of chaos, and whether good or bad, you have to accept it all and ‘go with the flow.’ Sticking to rituals can help you be calm and grounded no matter the situation.

When you’re spotting an unexpected breakout or feeling fatigued all of a sudden, you need to get your body and mind back to equilibrium. The festive season is when you make unforgettable memories, and you definitely don’t want to miss out on anything because you’re too busy to take care of yourself. Carve out some ‘me-time’ during the chaos of festivities and follow our guide to rest, recover and rejuvenate.

Self-Care Rituals to Swear By

If You’re Dealing With Anxiety Before An Event

It might have been a while since you’ve been to a big festive blowout, and that’s okay. Many people have stayed isolated during the pandemic, and it can lead to feeling social anxiety or stress before you have to head out to a gathering or event.

If you’re dealing with anxiety, here are some affirmations to get you out the door, feeling confident, cheerful and ready to have a good time.

I am relaxed and comfortable in social situations
I am a friendly and nice person
I belong here
I have done this before, and there is nothing to worry about
I will do the best that I can and that will be enough
I am unique and different, and there’s nothing wrong with that
Not every situation can be controlled by me, and that shouldn’t stop me from having fun
I am confident that I can get along with new people
I look forward to meeting friends, family and strangers when I go out

If you’re still having trouble dealing with your anxiety, try visualising an image or situation which helps you feel calm and grounded. It could be your favourite vacation spot, your pet, people you love or even a movie that makes you feel good.

If Small Talk Is Overwhelming You

Not everyone loves small talk, and fewer are adept at it. If you’re just not sure what constitutes as small talk, and need some conversation starters, here are some questions you can ask:

Are you having a good time here?
Where are you from?
Are you reading/watching any good books/shows right now? I need some recommendations to get started.
Whose Instagram account is your favourite to follow?
What food are you looking forward to eating?
Any festive traditions that you can’t live without?
Have you travelled since the restrictions ended? If so, where did you go and what was it like?
Where do you work and do you find your job satisfying?

If You’re Having Problems Sleeping

Getting enough sleep can be challenging when your sleep schedule is wrecked. With late nights, and events throughout the day, your mind can find it hard to wind down.If you want to go straight to sleep once you’re in bed, it’s best to adopt a wind-down routine.

Try incorporating classical music, bedtime stories or relaxing podcasts to help you feel relaxed. If you’re finding it challenging to sleep because of excessive noise or light, make your room conducive to sleeping. Try black-out blinds, noise cancelling machines, or even a sleeping mask to block your view of the light.

If You’re Eating and Drinking Like There’s No Tomorrow

We’ve all been there, and yes, it definitely sucks. The important thing is to have all the tools on hand to get you back to your normal self in no time.

If you haven’t hydrated yourself beforehand, it’s vital to do that the following day. Try to eat light (soups, salads and snack platters), so you don’t suffer from an upset stomach or cramps. Consume fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated, and this can include coconut water and ORS. If you’re nursing a headache, consider taking a nap (if you have the time) or try a quick acupressure massage. Think about adding yoghourt or a ripe banana to combat acidity or indigestion. Take a nap or sleep earlier the next day so you can recover quicker.

If You Tend To Sleep With Make-Up On

Nobody needs to tell you that sleeping with make-up on is a recipe for disaster. It can clog your pores and lead to unexpected breakouts. Washing your face twice a day is the bare minimum, but also remember to combine it with a good moisturiser and sunscreen to keep your skin calm.

If you can’t wash your face, an easier method to stick to is micellar water. Cleansing your face with micellar water can remove make-up and other impurities. Face wipes are ideal when you’re feeling extra lazy. You should also consider building a skincare routine specifically for the festivities, one that is quick and efficient.

If You’re Having a Bad Hair Day

Whether it’s the pollution or the fact that you’ve put too much product in your hair, bad hair days are to be expected during the festive season. Our 2-ingredient DIY hair mask is perfect when you need to be photo ready in record time, and if you have a bit of time on your hands, why not opt for a hair oiling session?

When everything seems lost, remember that there’s nothing that a good hairstyle and hair wash can’t fix.

If The Late Nights Are Getting to You

Feeling cranky because you haven’t gotten enough shut-eye? You’re not the only one. Experiencing mood swings and irritability due to sleep deprivation is quite common, especially during the festive season. Your festive plans can be quite overwhelming, and no one’s going to blame you for taking a breather. Try meditating for fifteen minutes or box breathing to calm down.

And if meditation doesn’t help, get some sleep or feed your hunger. When all else fails, it might be better to warn other people of your mood. When others know you’re sleep deprived and easily irritable, they can be more accepting of your behaviour, and you don’t have to go around all day trying to suppress what you’re feeling.

If You’re Feeling Bloated or Gassy

Had one too many carbonated drinks the day before? When you’re looking for a quick remedy to de-bloat, try ajwain (carom seeds) tea. Prepare this by boiling water and ajwain for a few minutes and consuming immediately.

Bloating is a direct consequence of unreleased gas in your gut, and there are various techniques to resolve it, depending on why you’re getting bloated in the first place. You can also try a quick yoga session to help you feel de-bloated.

If You’re Getting Stressed with Festive Planning

Organising gatherings, managing your family, buying gifts and sweets amongst other things can take a toll. Feeling stressed when you feel like there’s too much on your plate is natural, but do you really need to be doing it alone?

Festive planning can be made easier and more efficient when you have your loved ones helping out where they can. Not only do you get to spend more time with people you love, you can immediately feel less stressed about things you may still have to do. Having a to-do list for everyone can make things more organised, and you won’t have to micromanage every aspect of your festivities!

If You’re Feeling Guilty About Being Indulgent

Let’s face it, you can never know what’s going to happen during the festive season. Whether you’ve had one ladoo too many or come back home in the early hours of the morning, there’s no need to beat yourself up about it. Accept and move on so you don’t stress unnecessarily.

Giving into indulgence and spontaneity during this time isn’t a bad thing at all. After all, don’t you deserve to treat yourself? It’s okay to enjoy and spend time with your loved ones, after all, you won’t get this time back.

Finding the Time for Your Rituals

Trying to stick to a certain routine even when you’re busy with so many other tasks can be stressful in itself. Before you get into the full festive swing, it might be worthwhile asking yourself which rituals are not sustainable for the busy time ahead.

For example, working out every day for an hour or more might not be a feasible option when you’re not at home or have many social obligations to get to. But not working out for a week or two doesn’t need to induce guilt or stress. Slip-ups can happen, and it’s perfectly okay to get back into your normal routine after the festivities are over. If you find that you’re having trouble with ‘letting go,’ it’s all about finding balance. For example, maybe a quick 15-minute HIIT workout can compensate for your one-hour workout on busy days.

Ideally, no matter how busy you might be, taking an hour (30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at night) is all it takes to factor in some ‘me-time’.

While you might be a spontaneous person, planning during the festive season can go a long way, especially when it comes to self-care rituals. Taking care of yourself should come first because you won’t be able to cater to anyone else without filling your cup first.