I have the unfortunate habit of getting sick over the holidays. It’s almost like my body knows that there are a few days off in my future, and saves up the sickness for those days so I don’t miss whatever important things are going on before and afterwards.
On the positive side, it does kind of ensure that I use my holiday time for resting and taking good care of myself.
Holidays (and vacations) can be wonderful and fun… but they can also be hectic and stressful. Travel can be full of worries, anxiety, and questions: will you make that plane on time, are your presents going to get damaged in transit, is the weather going to mess with your plans, and more. Not to mention the fact that you’ll be cooped up with strangers of unknown health for the length of your trip!
Just getting to your destination on time and in good shape can be a huge victory.
Then there’s the holiday itself. Maybe you’ve got cooking duties, maybe not. Family gatherings can be joyous, but they can just as often be stressful. Who’s going to sleep where, did you get the right gift, will old arguments rear their ugly heads around the table? Can you keep all your holiday party and celebration commitments? Can you get your shopping done in a timely manner?
There’s just a whole lot of extra stuff to juggle around the holidays. Yes, it’s totally worth it. But it can still do a number on you. The whirlwind schedule (hopping from one party to another, squeezing in decorating, baking, and shopping when you can) can leave you less rested than usual. The holiday menus can wreak havoc with your digestion and diet.
Taking good care of yourself may fall by the wayside. That’s why it’s a good idea to schedule a “vacation from your vacation” day. If you can, after the holiday hustle and bustle is done, give yourself a day off. Don’t go running around, don’t take on anything too strenuous, just find a way to relax. It might mean coming home a day early from your trip, or spending a sick day after the kids go back to school, or just including the whole family in your day of rest.
But a holiday recovery day can do wonders for your stress levels! You really can’t “catch up” on rest you’ve missed, but you can use a vacation from your vacation day to start restoring your normal sleep schedule so you’re ready to go back to your non-holiday routine. Rest is essential for your mind and body to keep functioning at their best!