How to Find “Me Time” This Christmas

You’re doing group shopping outings, cleaning, spending time with family and friends, wrapping presents and cooking for everyone but yourself. Here’s how to spend some quality time alone over the holidays.

Group shopping outings or shopping and lunch with your sisters or best friends is always a good time, but schedule some shopping time with just you. Sit down and make a list of who’s left to buy for and a few ideas so you know exactly what you’re looking for when you head to the mall. That way you’re not scouting around and digging through shelves looking for the perfect gift and can spend the least amount of time as possible looking for everything. Let whoever is watching your children know that you will be gone all day long. One thing I love to do while I’m out Christmas shopping is stopping to enjoy a cup of coffee or treating myself to a relaxing lunch.

Speaking of shopping, don’t foreget to include you on that list. Make an appointment for a mani/pedi or a massage. I always find going to the salon is a relaxing time, so if you’re not a mani/pedi kind of girl, get a cut and freshen up your color. The devil inside you may scold you for doing so because you “don’t have the time”, but ignore it. By making the time, you’re giving yourself a small boost for not only your body, but your mind and spirit as well and that can prevent you from getting stressed out and run down which can lead to you getting sick.

One other thing you can do is to start a tradition. I did this a few years ago and when we did it, I didn’t know it was going to turn into a tradition. Little did I know that going to the Holidazzle parade and looking at Christmas lights with my best friend Amy would turn into a wonderful evening with me and my husband, but now Amy and her fiance, too. We go for a nice quiet dinner, see the parade, grab some hot chocolate and then drive around to some of the big light displays around town. Sometimes, that “tradition” doesn’t have to include you. Have your husband, parents or partner take the kids and go shopping, sledding or to visit Santa Claus. While they’re gone, take a hot bath and have a glass of wine. You’ll be relaxed, refreshed, rejuvinated, and ready to take on whatever needs to be done these last few days before Christmas with a full head of steam.