Oh, the holiday season. The lights, the sparkle, the family togetherness. The traffic, the crowded malls, the family togetherness. It’s wonderful and warming, but stressful and sometimes all too real and terrible at the same time. All that stress combined with environmental assaults from the bitter cold and high-powered HVAC systems indoors wreaks havoc on our skin. Here at Cannalle, we’re big on self-care and getting back in touch with nature, so we’ve compiled a holiday and winter survival guide to help get you back on track for the new year.
Learn how to say “No”
With the year wrapping up, many of us feel obligated to commit to longer hours at work to meet those final quarter goals or agreeing to attend family-related functions. No one wants to be seen as the Grinch or a slacker during this busy season, but it is important to be mindful of your own needs, internalizing them, and freeing yourself of that self-imposed guilt when wanting to say no. You will be of no use to anyone, including yourself, if you say “yes” to everything and end up getting burnt out.
To avoid burn out, try employing the following methods:
Take Back Control
Meet with your manager or boss to create effective action plans that will help you prioritize time-sensitive tasks more efficiently. Identify which tasks need to be completed first and foremost, and place less essential tasks on a track to be completed at a later date when you have additional time. This will help you create more autonomy in your role and make your workload more manageable.
Exercise
While the idea of heading to the gym before or after a long day may be daunting, a wealth of studies prove the benefits exercise has on our health and well-being. Exercise creates endorphins that help alleviate stress and increase energy and productivity. It also helps improve the quality of your sleep so you can wake up in the mornings refreshed and invigorated. The best part–you don’t need to be a gym rat to reap the benefits–just 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day is enough to get you on the right track.
Take a Digital Detox
No Tech Mornings & Evenings
While we understand this one may be tricky, it will be beneficial in the end. Get in the habit of not bringing your phone or tablet into the bedroom with you. Set your device down in a different room (or just out of reach) in the evening before bed so you are no tempted to scroll through your Facebook and Instagram feed right before heading off to sleep. The blue light emitted by screens has been proven to interrupt the production of melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
When your alarm goes off, eat breakfast and get ready for your day before opening up your email. Focus on building both an evening and morning routine that’s dedicated to your self-care.
For an added disconnect, dial down notification disruptions by turning on the Do Not Disturb feature on your device or by silencing notifications completely.
Put Your Phone Down During Lunch
Use your lunch break for what it is meant for–lunch. Grab a colleague and enjoy a meal while having face-to-face interaction and conversations with another human being. Pesky emails about meetings and deadlines can wait until after lunch.
Stick to a Screen Time Allowance
According to Technology and Addiction Specialist Dr. Richard Graham, “if you establish a maximum daily time allowance for your devices then you will be more likely to stick to your detox.” Use the features in your device to set limits to the apps you use regularly to help set boundaries on constant tech use.
Skin Care is Self Care
Practice Good Sleep Hygiene
Ensure your pillows and sheets are clean and comfortable to reduce environmental irritants and dust mites. Go one step further and pamper your skin with silk pillowcases. There is evidence that sleeping with silk bedding decreases the amount of friction against your skin, resulting in glowing, clear and even skin.
Eat Right & Hydrate
It’s no secret that adequate nutrition and hydration promote clearer skin and faster cell regeneration. Eat a minimum of 5 portions of fruits and vegetables each day, and take supplements for vitamin C, E, Zinc, and Omega-3’s.
Wash that down with six to eight glasses of water a day to keep your skin looking hydrated and fresh, combatting dryness that we’re especially susceptible to during the winter months. All fluids count towards your daily allowance, but water works best–sorry coffee drinkers.
Luxuriate Your Skin
Something as simple as creating a daily skincare routine can help you decompress and relax. Exfoliate two to three times per week to help skin cell regeneration and clear out clogged pores. After cleansing with your regular daily face wash, treat skin with anti-aging and hydrating products that will reduce dryness and the appearance of fine lines such a Cannalle’s healing Time Capsule and restorative day and night serums.
So when the holiday and winter season gets to be too much, remember to take a step back and breathe. Try incorporating our suggestions and tips into your daily routine to decompress and better cope with the chaos that comes with the busy season.