This time of year, it is easy to get so wrapped up in the holiday spirit that we completely forget about ourselves. It’s important to remember that as a Solapreneur, you need to make sure to fill up your cup first before pouring into others’ cups (and making them feel oh so good!). As a beauty professional, you are catering to others’ happiness all day, and with the holidays on top of your normal routine, your very full plate can overflow. Best way to prevent burnout and overwhelm? Deep self-care. Take some time for you. Nourish yourself - body, mind and spirit - so that you can truly take on the world from a grounded and resourced place. We want to offer ways to turn the holiday spirit inward and love yourself up before the season’s frenzy takes hold. These self-care practices will help you feel supercharged so that you can better serve clients, connect with friends and family, and maintain balance during the busiest time of the year. Rest and Recuperation (R & R) Sometimes it feels like we simply do not have a minute to spare for ourselves. When we feel this way, that's when self-care is most needed. When you can figure out a way to take 5 minutes out, maybe 5 hours, maybe even a whole day, we come back rested, rejuvenated and better able to handle anything; with greater efficiency and flow. Knowing when to take some R&R time is a valuable skill to have. Take it from the Dalai Lama, “If you feel 'burnout' setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself.” Do absolutely nothing, or do something - it’s your choice. But please make sure that whatever you do, or don’t do, that it is for you and you alone. Just the feeling of prioritizing your needs can provide the comfort you need to recharge. Schedule “Me Time” Because self-care windows can be easy to skip, we recommend scheduling “me time” so that it is an absolute non-negotiable; a pact with yourself; a commitment mechanism that builds internal trust. We recommend a booking app or platform that makes it clear for clients to see when you are available from your online booking site, without sharing details on what you are up to; so, you can plan as much time for you as you’d like, and nobody will know if it is vacation, a personal day, family time, or just plain unavailability. Journal Journaling has been proven to relieve stress, improve memory, process emotions and boost mood for those who record their thoughts regularly. Picking up a journaling practice is an excellent way to get in touch with yourself and stay mindful as we spend more time indoors. A great way to begin a journaling practice is by recording your thoughts for 3-5 minutes during your morning routine, and eventually increasing that to 10-20 minutes daily. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, teaches the practice of Morning Pages, where you write all of your thoughts, your unbridled stream of consciousness, for three full pages each morning. The idea is to not censor yourself, in order to get any recurring, pesky or downright negative thoughts out of your head and onto paper, to make way for a day that is less burdened by mental chatter and more focused and creative. Declutter your mind by writing until you are out of material. Can’t think of what to write? Here are some topics to get your pages flowing: Thoughts, feelings, emotions Complaints, frustrations, worries Plans for the future, goals, hopes, dreams A list of 3-10 things that you are grateful for every morning and/or night Lists of what you need to do that day - to dos, meal planning, errands, reminders Positive affirmation statements - great pick-me-ups for darker days especially Vent about that difficult client who is never quite satisfied Ideate your next educational opportunity to uplevel your skill and expertise Dream of your next big vacation ...anything that comes to mind - scribble it out! Stay Hydrated Sometimes in the winter when the weather cools down, we forget to drink as much water in the colder weather. In winter it is just as important, if not more important, to stay hydrated. Water carries oxygen and nutrients to your cells, maintains electrolyte balance and regulates body temperature - keeping you healthy throughout the seasonal transition. A good rule of thumb is as follows: take the number of your weight in pounds and multiply it by ⅔ or 67%. If you weigh 150 pounds, you may consider drinking about 100 ounces of water per day. Of course, as always, listen to your body and adjust as it feels comfortable to you, however, this formula is a great way to gauge whether you are drinking enough for your body weight. Grab a water bottle that you love drinking out of - one that measures ounces - in order to reach your water goal every day. Better yet, keep a water jug in your studio for both you and your clients to remember to