Holidays are a time to reflect and identify what you truly need and value. They can be busy and stressful, but if you can carve out some down-time, it’s also an opportunity for self-reflection. Above all, holidays are a time to be kind to yourself.

Get some rest

If you are feeling a bit rundown, it’s important to get some rest and give yourself some space to de-compress. Take a day or two to relax, unwind and recharge your batteries. If this means sleeping longer than usual, that’s fine. Or if this means going for a long walk in nature, giving yourself permission to flick through a magazine or read a good book, is also a good idea. Whatever works for you to have some time to yourself and care for yourself, will lead to a better you.

Reach out for connection

If you have been preoccupied with work or social media, or found yourself isolating, then holidays are a great time to re-connect with family and friends. As humans, a part of us wants to be supported by our “tribe”. It’s an ideal time to reach out to friends we haven’t seen for a while and connect back in with people who are important to us. If you don’t have a tribe right now, then why not brainstorm ideas for hobbies that will get you out of the house and connect you with new friends.

Set healthy boundaries

If the holidays invoke feelings of dreaded family reunions where old wounds are reactivated, then it’s important to set some boundaries. It’s OK to say ‘no’ to events that will not serve you, or to limit your time in unhealthy situations. Alcohol reduces inhibitions, and if you are not careful bad behaviour can result, so it’s important not to overindulge. Overeating can be another area where we don’t look after ourselves. Why not this holiday period aim to eat healthier.

Reward yourself

Times have been tough with most of us finding our money doesn’t buy what it used to. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back for a job well done and acknowledge that you’ve kept going even though things are tight.  Be sure to reward yourself with some self-praise for what you have accomplished. Treat yourself without guilt to something as simple as an ice-cream or an afternoon nap, but dedicate your treat to yourself, knowing it’s your private reward for a job well done. If you have some holiday spending money, consider spending some of it on yourself. It’s not selfish to look after your own needs and to value yourself, rather it’s an important part of self-care and self-compassion.

Set some goals

OK, most people don’t make goals on their holiday for when they get back home. Think about what you want in the coming months and consider what the first step might be in making that happen. For example, if you want to lose weight, try to frame this in a positive way in terms of increasing your physical activity. Then commit to starting with a ten-minute walk every day. If your goal is for better work-life balance, think about one thing you can do every week that can become an immovable imperative, such as joining a gym or attending a regular exercise class. It’s really about setting the wheels in motion, rather than focusing on the end-goal.

Enjoy the upcoming long weekends and don’t forget to fill your tank!