5 Easy Acts of Self-Care to Thrive During the Holidays

This season of giving, don’t forget to give yourself a little love!

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Fa la la la la la la la LIES! Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the holiday season, but truthfully, I wasn’t fully aware of how stressful the holidays could be until I became an adult – curse aging! Between traveling, spending, gifting, family feuds, and dealing with the anxiety of acknowledging another year has passed, December can be overwhelming for many of us. In fact, a Healthline survey found that 62% of respondents claimed “very” or “somewhat” elevated stress levels during the holidays.

This December, we want to remind you that the holidays are joyful and while finding the perfect gift might rank high on your list, you can’t forget to #treatyoself! We asked our community what they do for self-care and we wanted to share so you can be more like Buddy the Elf and less like The Grinch.

1. Take a nice, long detoxifying bath

I know what you’re thinking, “who has time for a bath?” Or maybe you don’t even have a bath. Well, it might just be worth finding one. Warm baths can be soothing (to your body and soul), help alleviate pain, and even improve your breathing. If you’re a germaphobe like me and aren’t thrilled with the idea of stewing in your own filth, you can always shower first!

2. Work it out

Take your worries to the gym, on a run, to the barre studio, to yoga, to the kitchen for an impromptu dance session… whatever works for you. Exercise has been proven to reduce stress by releasing endorphins—the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators—improving sleep, giving your mind a break, and making you feel good about yourself!

3. Organize your room/home

Do you ever find that you clean to procrastinate? Because same. Clutter can be stressful and getting things organized can help you achieve a little zen and feel a sense of accomplishment. It will also make your life a whole lot easier when you need to pack, wrap gifts, cook, bake, or whatever you need to do for the holidays.

4. Skincare is self-care

Sometimes it’s fun to set up a little spa experience for yourself. Besides, the winter weather can be very drying. Find your favorite face (and/or hair) mask, slice up a cucumber (of course), turn on some classical tunes, relax, and enjoy!

5. Masturbate

Masturbation releases dopamine, which is tied to pleasure and satisfaction. According to a 2009 University of Michigan study, orgasm helps the body release oxytocin, which in turn lowers cortisol—your body’s main stress hormone. Masturbation also allows your mind to disconnect and for you to literally let go. So like… what are you waiting for?

Must be looooooove on the braaaaain 🧠. Or was that s£x? 👀🤭 Our brains are our largest s£x organs and sometimes they get a little sad, hyperactive, anxious, or overwhelmed. You won’t always be in the mood for s£x and that’s okay! Keep communication with your partner open and ongoing, check in with yourself and your mental health, and lean on the support of a trusted therapist or doctor if you need some extra guidance. 🫶🏽 Anything you would add?

I mean 😏

It is not wrong nor should it feel shameful to ✨seek pleasure.✨ I think those of us who grew up more religious were taught that you should always be in service of others and giving of yourself rather than concerned with our own needs or passions. While it is wonderful to be generous with giving (and can in fact be a source of pleasure), it should be equally encouraged to pursue your own pleasure — it whatever form it may take! It may feel self-indulgent, but why is that a bad thing? Pleasure boosts our mental health. It helps us cope with a difficult world, with anxiety, depression, and stress. It makes us feel good! It gives us something to look forward to. Pleasure helps us connect with others and with ourselves. Pleasure (as long as it is not at the expense of someone else’s safety or well-being) should be a priority, for our joy and for our health. It really is so important! Where do you find pleasure? I personally love a good massage… 💆🏽‍♀️

It’s time for a talk, friend. Let’s be clear, you nor your partner ever has to do *anything* you’re not comfortable with. That said, if it’s something you enjoy and that’s pleasurable to you, it’s okay to ask your partner for it! They can say no, but if they invalidate your pleasure, much less expect you to do something they won’t do?? The ball is then in your court to decide if this is the partner for you. You deserve someone who cares about and prioritizes your pleasure. Who is thrilled to be acquainted with your body, all of it! S-x can be vulnerable to talk about, but when you do…it’s so much better. 👅 included. Ask your partner what their hesitations are and have a *conversation.* Maybe they’re nervous, intimidated, or struggling with shame. Maybe they’re down to try other things you would enjoy and build up to it. The point is, it shouldn’t just be automatically dismissed. You can decide what’s right for you and what makes you feel aroused, validated, and appreciated. Whatever you do, don’t internalize their rejection. Your body is beautiful, desirable, and definitely worthy of pleasure. 😋🥰

A UK study published in the International Urogynecology Journal found that only 46% of participants correctly identified that a female has 3 holes in the external genitalia. 😬 Not great. We’re taught so desperately little about our bodies and so discouraged from exploring them that we don’t even know what we’ve got going on down there! Understanding your own anatomy (and getting educated on your partner’s anatomy) can boost pleasure 1000x!! So take a mirror, use your hands, and get comfy exploring! 🪞🕵🏽‍♀️ And if you really want to get informed (and inspired 😉), head to our website for our basics on pleasure and anatomy. What do you think? Could YOU correctly label a diagram of what lies beneath?

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