avatarDr. Sarah Lyall-Neal

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s://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*IuHVaVV4t_t_sslZ)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="486f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Premium-Grade-Fragrance-Oils/dp/B01MRRFEB6/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&amp;keywords=christmas+scents&amp;qid=1607397110&amp;sr=8-7"> <div> <div> <h2>Christmas Set of 6 Premium Grade Fragrance Oils - Christmas Wreath, Mistletoe, Candy Cane…</h2> <div><h3>Amazon.com: Christmas Set of 6 Premium Grade Fragrance Oils - Christmas Wreath, Mistletoe, Candy Cane, Gingerbread…</h3></div> <div><p>www.amazon.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*8uE-j59ld70UCV7u)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h2 id="6083">3. Read a Good Book</h2><p id="c232">If you can’t actually travel for Christmas, reading a good book might be the next best thing. A good book can transport you away from your current circumstances to a completely different place and time.</p><p id="7878">According to a study completed by the University of Sussex in 2009, reading can also relieve stress by 68%, lower your heart rate, and improve your overall health.</p><div id="2e75" class="link-block"> <a href="https://modernmrsdarcy.com/reader-recommendations-for-festive-holiday-fiction/"> <div> <div> <h2>112 reader recommendations for festive holiday fiction - Modern Mrs. Darcy</h2> <div><h3>Readers, there's nothing like a good long book list for the holidays, am I right? These past years I received numerous…</h3></div> <div><p>modernmrsdarcy.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*RxHPYpI7Y2qXMHXL)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="9022" class="link-block"> <a href="https://sarahelyall.medium.com/popsugar-reading-challenge-ddccc90ddb1a"> <div> <div> <h2>Popsugar Reading Challenge</h2> <div><h3>After failing two years in a row, this is my year</h3></div> <div><p>sarahelyall.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*6fdDTsMI5cEGlSk0gYt1kQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h2 id="a84e">4. Fire up the oven</h2><p id="0abf">Maybe you won’t be baking sweet treats for a crowd, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cook up some small-batch goodies for yourself and your family. Bonus, no one will judge you if you decide to skip the mixing bowl this year and get some yummy pre maid dough. My favorite is the Nestle Tollhouse sugar cookie dough in the tub.</p><div id="c99e" class="link-block"> <a href="https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/small-batch-christmas-cookies/"> <div> <div> <h2>40 Small-Batch Christmas Cookies</h2> <div><h3>Spread holiday cheer with these small-batch Christmas cookies! These recipes make 20 cookies or less, so they're…</h3></div> <div><p>www.tasteofhome.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*PWGzJihUCKzkmgeH)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="0997" class="link-block"> <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.com/holidays-and-parties/photos/easy-holiday-cookie-recipes"> <div> <div> <h2>Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes</h2> <div><h3>Waited until the last minute to bake your holiday cookies? Don't worry! These festive treats are easy to make - and…</h3></div> <div><p>www.foodnetwork.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*hpOzAkSNEqHuAv8W)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h2 id="e8c9">5. Pamper Yourself</h2><p id="bd65">Sometimes you need to treat yourself like the queen or king you are. There's nothing more relaxing than an at-home spa day. How often do you have time to take a couple of hours to just focus on you? My favorite at-home spa product is Dr. Teal’s foaming bath. They have excellent scents and include epsin salts that are great for tired, achy, muscles.</p><div id="713a" class="link-block"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0080D1Q52?ie=UTF8"> <div> <div> <h2>Dr. Teal's Foaming Bath with Pure Epsom Salt, Soothe & Sleep with Lavender

Options

, 34 Ounces, purple…</h2> <div><h3>Amazon.com: Dr. Teal's Foaming Bath with Pure Epsom Salt, Soothe & Sleep with Lavender, 34 Ounces, purple, 3030009 …</h3></div> <div><p>www.amazon.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*zzYGwfsHvUbO6_ZN)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="2e0f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F7SUFW2?ie=UTF8"> <div> <div> <h2>Clay Facial Mask, L'Oreal Paris Skincare Pure Clay Face Mask with Charcoal for Dull Skin to Detox &…</h2> <div><h3>Amazon.com: Clay Facial Mask, L'Oreal Paris Skincare Pure Clay Face Mask with Charcoal for Dull Skin to Detox &…</h3></div> <div><p>www.amazon.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*DJUkvLOzqgqVORSb)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h2 id="95d8">6. Explore the great outdoors</h2><p id="e71f">If staying inside is not your thing, how about visiting your local park for a brisk hike. A cup of hot cocoa by the fire would be the perfect ending to a day spent enjoying nature’s beauty.</p><div id="ddc0" class="link-block"> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm"> <div> <div> <h2>Find a Park (U.S. National Park Service)</h2> <div><h3>Find a national park by selecting from a list or choosing a state on the map.</h3></div> <div><p>www.nps.gov</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*W4_dE64Id01OK7d6)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="14cf" class="link-block"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002HQX97G?ie=UTF8"> <div> <div> <h2>Ghirardelli Chocolate Premium Indulgence Hot Cocoa Mix, 32 Ounce Package</h2> <div><h3>Amazon.com: Ghirardelli Chocolate Premium Indulgence Hot Cocoa Mix, 32 Ounce Package: Ghiradelli Hot Chocolate …</h3></div> <div><p>www.amazon.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*QBt4LtGwyvOLW5iL)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h2 id="b04d">7. Reach out to an old friend</h2><p id="a1da">Holidays are a time for reconnecting. Have you lost touch with any of your old friends? Do you only stalk them on Facebook without interacting (I’m guilty)? Let’s face it, we all lead busy lives and it's easy to lose touch with friends no matter how well-meaning we are. With the unprecedented events of this year, this is the perfect holiday season to reach back out in a meaningful way.</p><div id="6831" class="link-block"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0766K7QRM?ie=UTF8"> <div> <div> <h2>Adorable Holiday Stationary Collection - 80 Sheets - 4 Cute Christmas/Winter Designs</h2> <div><h3>Amazon.com : Adorable Holiday Stationary Collection - 80 Sheets - 4 Cute Christmas/Winter Designs : Office Products</h3></div> <div><p>www.amazon.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*qo9x7LF6-hVnfrh9)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="4963" class="link-block"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1441333843?ie=UTF8"> <div> <div> <h2>Festive Tree of Hearts Deluxe Boxed Holiday Cards (Christmas Cards, Greeting Cards)</h2> <div><h3>Festive Tree of Hearts Deluxe Boxed Holiday Cards (Christmas Cards, Greeting Cards) [Peter Pauper Press] on Amazon.com…</h3></div> <div><p>www.amazon.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*WvkJEetbqiMElP3J)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="bf0c">No matter how you choose to celebrate this year. Take time to reflect on everything you’ve been through and pat yourself on the back for your accomplishments. You didn’t ask to be tossed into the throws of a global pandemic but you rallied.</p><p id="45b1">Take a day, or two, or seven, and relax. You deserve it!</p><p id="d51a"><b>*This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something from this post, the writer will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.</b></p></article></body>

7 Budget-Friendly Self-Care Ideas for Christmas 2020

Treat yourself, you deserve it

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

For many, the holiday season is one of the hardest times of the year. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a Hallmark family situation and plenty of money for food and gifts. For those struggling to simply make ends meet the holidays can be a dreaded time.

This year, the stress of the holiday season will be compounded for many. The Coronavirus pandemic has led to the loss of lives and livelihoods. Even for those families who have been blessed to not suffer acutely from the effects of the virus, this Christmas will be different. Many families, mine included, are making the difficult decision to not spend the holiday together.

Self-care is important any time of the year, but especially during harder times like the holidays. Read on for a list of self-care activities that will help you keep your sanity as you plow through one of the most difficult holiday seasons in recent history.

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

1. Deck the Halls

Even if you can’t have guests over for the holidays, decorating your home can still boost your spirits and you can always share your efforts on Instagram.

The great thing about decorating for the holidays is you can decorate your whole house without breaking the bank. One option would be to use your leftover holiday decor from the previous year in new ways.

If you don’t have leftover holiday decor, hit up your local thrift shop for quirky vintage pieces.

Even more fun, you can go to the Dollar Tree and get supplies to make some incredible DIY pieces for pennies on the dollar. Your friends will be amazed at how talented you are and will be begging for your secrets.

2. Engage Your Sense of Smell

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is the smells, everything from the pine scent of the tree to the cooking smells wafting from the kitchen set the scene. Even if you are skipping the celebration, you can use candles and fragrance oils with nostalgic scents to transport yourself back to Christmases past.

3. Read a Good Book

If you can’t actually travel for Christmas, reading a good book might be the next best thing. A good book can transport you away from your current circumstances to a completely different place and time.

According to a study completed by the University of Sussex in 2009, reading can also relieve stress by 68%, lower your heart rate, and improve your overall health.

4. Fire up the oven

Maybe you won’t be baking sweet treats for a crowd, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cook up some small-batch goodies for yourself and your family. Bonus, no one will judge you if you decide to skip the mixing bowl this year and get some yummy pre maid dough. My favorite is the Nestle Tollhouse sugar cookie dough in the tub.

5. Pamper Yourself

Sometimes you need to treat yourself like the queen or king you are. There's nothing more relaxing than an at-home spa day. How often do you have time to take a couple of hours to just focus on you? My favorite at-home spa product is Dr. Teal’s foaming bath. They have excellent scents and include epsin salts that are great for tired, achy, muscles.

6. Explore the great outdoors

If staying inside is not your thing, how about visiting your local park for a brisk hike. A cup of hot cocoa by the fire would be the perfect ending to a day spent enjoying nature’s beauty.

7. Reach out to an old friend

Holidays are a time for reconnecting. Have you lost touch with any of your old friends? Do you only stalk them on Facebook without interacting (I’m guilty)? Let’s face it, we all lead busy lives and it's easy to lose touch with friends no matter how well-meaning we are. With the unprecedented events of this year, this is the perfect holiday season to reach back out in a meaningful way.

No matter how you choose to celebrate this year. Take time to reflect on everything you’ve been through and pat yourself on the back for your accomplishments. You didn’t ask to be tossed into the throws of a global pandemic but you rallied.

Take a day, or two, or seven, and relax. You deserve it!

*This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something from this post, the writer will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Holidays
Self Care
Christmas
Health
Self Improvement
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