Holiday socializing can be easily overwhelming, even for extroverts of the furthest extreme. Everything gets busier during this season. School, work, and family calendars become jam-packed with places to go, things to do, and people to see. Since we see people during this time we don't normally see as much throughout the year, we feel the need to engage with them thoroughly and more intentionally. Yet, the lack of commute time in between calendar events keeps our fuse running shorter than usual, hindering us from being able to arrive anywhere 100% charged.
To step onto the scene ready and equipped to take on these socially charged environments, we need tools that help us create distance between situations that trigger us and our reactions to them.
Here are 8 tips on how to manage your energy tank effectively to shop up (and actually be present for) all of your commitments and obligations.
1) Say no.
We know, this is a tough one, which is why it's first on our list of things you can do to serve yourself well. It might require the biggest effort, but will also bear the biggest payoff.
Once you realize saying no is the responsible thing to do when you know you can't be all the way invested in a request, you'll be much more confident in your ability to manage what's already on your plate. Also, by valuing your own time and respecting your energy levels, of course you're teaching others to follow suit.
2) Stop talking & listen.
When you focus on listening to others rather than inserting your own POV, not only does it preserve your energy, but it also encourages healthier communication and builds deeper, more trustworthy bonds. You can even try visualization practices to improve your listening skills, like envisioning simple illustrations in your head while someone is talking to objectively process what they're saying.
3) Skip the carbs at lunch
Regardless of whichever ones you celebrate, the holidays usually call for lots of eating- and not always the healthiest kind. Whether it's drinks during girl's night or mom's loaded mac n cheese at family Christmas dinner, you already know you're in for some heavy hitting treats. It can be hard to get loved ones on board with swapping out ingredients for healthier alternatives to accommodate a more modern diet when it comes to traditional family recipes, and saying no is easier said than done.
If you struggle with emotional eating or simply want to be more mindful about your intake among all the opportunities to gorge, try reserving your carbs for breakfast and dinner and plan for lighter lunches. Not only will this preserve your diet and make space for you to have all the holiday treats you want guilt-free, but it will also help manage your energy levels more efficiently throughout the day.
4) Excuse yourself, as needed.
This is a form of boundary setting.
If you're out and feel like you need a moment alone, don't wait until your tank is on E before hitting the gas station to fill yourself back up. In other words, excuse yourself to the restroom for a minute to recharge. While you're in there, splash some water on yourself, do some breathing exercises or mirror-talk, or whatever else you need to do to bring yourself back to center.
5) Use CBD
Rise Up, Ladykind's Daily Mind-Clearing tincture is designed to work with your body's endocannabinoid system to calm stress, clear brain fog and anxiety, increase concentration, and balance hormone levels- therefore regulating your mood. It also helps reduce chronic pain caused by PMS and perimenopause, making it a great gift for any lady in your life who prioritizes their wellness.
For best results use 2-3x/daily, starting with 1/4 of a dropper per dose and increasing to 1 full dropper as you feel necessary. Take your first dose when you wake up as a part of your morning routine to kickstart your day. Then, take the next with your (carb-free) lunch, and the next with your afternoon snack or dinner for a little 'pick-me-up' as you move throughout your day. Also remember, there's no THC in Ladykind's CBD products, so no need to worry about "getting high" or experiencing any psychoactive side effects.
Once it's time to start winding down for the night (pun *absolutely* intended), switch to Rise Up's counterpart, Ladykind's Nightly Mind-Relaxing tincture. Take it with your nighttime tea, other beverage of choice, or all on its own!
6) Have an escape plan
Another form of boundary setting! It never hurts not to be the last one standing at the party.
Before you get there, give yourself an expiry time limit. For example, two hours is typically our average bandwidth for socializing, so after that amount of time has passed, we don't feel guilty for calling it a night.
7) Take a shower when you get home
We promise, it's worth the extra 5-20 minutes, depending on how strenuous your shower habits & preferences are. Something about washing the day off and getting into bed calm and collected (not to mention squeaky clean!) makes for a naturally better sleep session.
If you have the capacity, throw in a little gratitude practice or short meditation to top of the R&R vibes before bedtime.
8) Try a lightbox
We're all for trying emerging trends in the self-care industry. Enter: light boxes.
In addition to your morning routine, we recommend giving this one a try. It's been proven that sunlight exposure in the morning triggers melatonin production T+16 hours later, making your body naturally sleepy when it's time to shut down. Regulating sleep patterns primes you for exercising healthier habits overall, including energy preservation.
The moral of the story
Run your holiday plans, don't let them run you. Get on top of managing your mood and energy during your busiest seasons in life today at Ladykind.com.
