The Naturopath’s Christmas Self-Care Checklist

The Christmas holiday season can be a whirlwind of commitments, pressures, and parties. There is so much joy in these festivities, but more often than not, they can come at the cost of self-care. Prioritising your wellbeing during this time isn’t always easy but is absolutely essential (and doesn’t need to be complicated). Read on for our naturopath-approved self-care checklist to guide you through the holiday hustle with ease. 

1. Prioritise Sleep
   Sleep is the cornerstone of good health - it’s when your body repairs, restores, and reorganises, processes toxins, emotions, and hormones. Aim for 7-9 hours of good quality sleep each night to support immune function, mood, energy, and more. If holiday obligations disrupt your routine, aim to at least practise good sleep hygiene where possible: limit screen time, create a relaxing evening ritual, limit stimulants including caffeine, and get morning sunlight exposure when you wake up. As naturopaths, there are various herbs and nutraceuticals we can prescribe to support sleep, including California poppy, Passion flower, Kava, Valerian, glycine, L-theanine, and magnesium - if you want extra support here, reach out to our team!  

2. Stay Hydrated
   With the extra drinks in our hands and caffeine-fuelled days, water can easily take the back seat. Keep a water bottle on you, and drink at least 2.5L per day. If you find you’re reaching for more alcohol than usual, it might even be a good idea to keep some electrolytes on hand for some added support.

3. Nourish Your Body
   Don’t skip meals in anticipation of a big dinner - this can lead to energy crashes, low moods, and gut dysfunction. Instead, focus on balanced meals rich in protein, fibre, and healthy fats, and make sure you start the day with a healthy, protein-rich breakfast. 

4. Practise Mindful Eating
   Digestion starts before food even enters our mouths. If you’re eating on the run or in front of a screen, your body isn’t able to produce adequate stomach acid and digestive enzymes required for proper digestion. It’s also harder to distinguish what’s true hunger and what’s not. To eat mindfully, sit down with your meal, eliminate distractions - turn the TV off and put your phone down, eat slowly, chew your food thoroughly until it forms a paste in your mouth, and pay attention to the colours, smells, textures, and flavours of food. 

5. Set Boundaries
   It’s more important than ever at this time of year to be mindful of your limits. Give yourself permission to politely decline invitations or activities that feel overwhelming or that don’t feel aligned - and don’t feel guilty for putting yourself first. Remember, your well-being is non-negotiable.

6. Move Your Body
   While it’s not uncommon for your usual exercise routine to shift, aim to incorporate movement where you can. A brisk walk, a quick stretch session, or even a family game of charades can help maintain your physical and mental health.

7. Be Kind to Yourself
   A healthy relationship with food forms part of the foundation for overall health. This time of year can be triggering in more ways than one, and there’s often a lot of noise around toxic diet culture and restriction. Allow yourself to enjoy food for the simple fact that it’s delicious, and remind yourself that a truly healthy diet recognises macronutrients, micronutrients, and the pure joy that can come from eating your favourite meal or sharing food with people you love. 

This holiday season, let self-care be your foundation. By taking simple steps to prioritise your health and well-being, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy the festivities with energy, joy, and love at the forefront.