Are You Exhausted?
It’s okay to put yourself first
I tried to wash my face with deodorant the other night.
It’s the season of exhaustion, even if you aren’t rushing around trying to prepare for the holidays.
Some may suffer from SAD, or seasonal affective disorder. The dark months bring sleep issues, mood swings, depression, and more.
If you suffer from brain fog, exhaustion, or an ongoing lethargy that you can’t seem to shake, take a look at what’s going on in your life.
Are you in a situation outside of your norm? This could include hosting duties, balancing work and a personal life, too many activities that you are required to attend for one reason or another, or even the fact that you don’t celebrate holidays while everyone around you is experiencing seasonal joy.
What can you do to survive? First of all, prioritize — everything. Are you getting enough sleep? Move your bedtime or wake up time. Simplify everywhere you can. Most importantly, give yourself a break!
A few years ago, we started going straight to the soup and skipping the big Thanksgiving dinner. Last year we celebrated Christmas by going to a movie, ordering Chinese food, and playing Scrabble. This year, we may go to the local “Wicked” singalong on Christmas day. Do what speaks to you, not what everyone expects of you.
In this season of giving, don’t forget to give to yourself. You’ll have much better memories of the season, you’ll get through relatively unscathed, and should you choose to socialize, you’ll be much better company!
It’s okay to put yourself first when anxiety and stress begin to get the best of you — all year long. You deserve it.
