12 Days of Gratitude and Giving: Win a 6 Month Vellabox Subscription + Essentials Kit

This is the 10th day of 12 Days of Gratitude and Giving, and we're going to change speeds a little bit with today's post.

The holiday season is festive and full of fun, but it can also be draining. There are financial burdens, family dynamics to navigate, social obligations… plus that pressure to be happy, grateful, and forever in a good mood. With all of the stresses this time of year brings, it’s important to take time out when needed to relax, recharge, and stay healthy.

I asked the MSA team how they look after their mental health and practice self care this holiday season, and I thought it might be nice to share their replies in this post. For me, it's helpful to know that when I'm struggling around this time of year, I'm not alone. The holiday season is challenging for a lot of people.

Today, we're also giving away a six month subscription to Vellabox's Vivere Box. Each shipment contains an 8oz candle, a 4oz candle, and a special surprise. Total burn time for the candles in each box is approximately 75 hours, so you'll have plenty of flickering candlelight to accompany you while you soak in the tub. (Bubble baths are one of my personal favorite ways to recharge.) The winner will also receive an essentials kit that includes a match jar set, wick trimmer, and snuffer. If you'd like to skip straight to the giveaway, you can head over to our list of Best Self Care Subscription Boxes. You'll find the giveaway posted at the top of the page. You can also visit our Vellabox brand page to learn more about this subscription.

Now, let's hear from the team:

Geraldine

First of all, I follow up with my therapist during the holidays more than ever.

While it can get hectic, I try to set clear boundaries (financial and social ones!). That means I set up a budget for all my holiday shopping, I accept/deny any invitations I get, and I set aside at least 30-minutes of me-time per week.

Finally, the one thing that keeps me sane is writing in my gratitude journal. When it gets chaotic, it’s easy to forget all the beautiful things happening around us. So even if I write one sentence, writing why I’m grateful this season makes it all worth it.

April

I try to focus on things that make me feel good and take me out of a negative headspace.  Using resources like Headspace Radio (free resource) this version is just done in 3-5 minute snippets that cover all aspects/challenges of life, and different ways to look at things.  Making sure that I disconnect from my phone, social media, and putting my laptop away for at least a few hours a day.  As humans, we are overstimulated without realizing it.  I get outside and go for a walk, anywhere I can get in the sunshine.  Wyatt (my pup) is a comforting source of love, animals are literally the best.  Will go for a long walk or go hang out in the sun for at least an hour.

Simran

I tend to treat the beginning of the year as pretty sacred - a time for recovery, resolutions, new routines, vision boards, journaling, etc. You name it, and I'd love to try it. This year, I was feeling that need for recalibration sooner because I was stressed about the holidays - it was so different last year, what would it be this year? So I committed to two practices for the month of December. First, I engage in a practice known as "morning pages" from The Artist's Way. Essentially, you start your morning before you do anything else by filling three pages of 8.5 x 11 notebook paper (single sided, thankfully!) with your thoughts, even if it's just: "why did I get up 30 minutes earlier to do this?" It takes about 30 minutes and feels like a meditation because for that time, you are so present with a pen and paper. I wake up 30 minutes earlier, make myself a tea, and write my morning pages. It feels indulgent in a way that I didn't expect. I'm also committed to an Ashtanga daily yoga practice for the month of December. These two daily infusions are bringing so much balance to my days already. I'm still saving the vision board for next year.

Nancy

I tend to get overwhelmed over the holidays especially if there’s a lot of frantic activity going on. My self care is making time for myself to recharge. I make an intentional effort to communicate my needs to my loved ones that I need time alone, space to recharge, etc. I bring it up in discussion beforehand so that they’re aware. During that discussion, I set up my reasoning, make a clear request, and we work together to figure out what's feasible. Negotiation usually happens here and that's ok. Then, afterwards, when I need time alone, I let my loved ones know that I’m going to do the thing we discussed previously!

Samantha

I don’t know if it’s the holidays that gets me thinking or what, but I do find it to be a particularly reflective time of year. I think about the times I’ve been really quite fortunate, as well the days where I’ve felt less than charmed. It was one year in going down that rabbit hole that I saw the importance of finding beauty and gratitude in the everyday. I’d encouraged my family to take a minute out of their day to stop and reflect, jot down one thing they are grateful for on a piece of paper, and toss it into a designated jar. It can be anything - one day it’s something more global like clean water. On another, it’s that my pants fit that day (because… holidays). Other times it goes a little deeper. There’s no judgment - what you’re grateful for is yours - it’s the act that gets us thinking that really has us counting our riches (and I don’t mean in the monetary sense). When the jar is full, this is when I usually sit down with my daughter, and we read aloud what we’ve been grateful for lately, all at once. They’re like little notes to the self, and it really puts things into perspective, unblocking that brick wall that makes us only see what’s wrong in our lives. We’ve been doing this for years now, and dare I say, it may have even helped to aid in my daughter’s literacy, so… double win.

Emily

This may sound superficial but I remember to get myself something for the holidays. I feel like I get so focused on getting a gift or two for everyone in my life that I forget it’s okay to put aside something for yourself, especially something you’ve had your eye on. It’s simple but it has made a difference for me!

Jessica

Massages because they ease tension in my muscles, doing a long face mask or bubble bath or skincare routine, watching my comfort shows (Schitts creek and Brooklyn 99- doesn't matter how many times I've seen them, I am always happy to watch), my emotional support goose, getting good nights rest with CBD gummies if needed, scheduling therapy visits around family events or occasions I am stressed about.

I also do sticker therapy. I write letters to my loved ones and then sticker the absolute heck out of the back of the envelope until there is no more room. It's cathartic because a lot of times I want to “save” them but like… it's just a sticker. Stick the sticker. And it's fun to be artistic with it and it's fun because I know it's going to make the recipient really happy.

Caroline

Exercise has always been my sacred space; it's often the only time I have to myself in during the day, and I always feel de-stressed and energized after. Prior to joining MSA, I actually owned a fitness studio. My love of exercise stays strong throughout the holidays. I make sure to plan my schedule in advance so I know what workout I'll get in and when. When I can, I'll invite friends or family members to workout with me in classes I know they'll like too. Of course, I have to counter-balance my love of exercise with a love of sugar, so I also bake a lot throughout the holidays. I find it's an easy way to spread cheer and brighten up someone's day, while managing to unwind and do something I love.

Megan

Weightlifting every day! Even on holiday vacation (I go to a different gym when I am home in Tennessee). Cardio makes me bored and listless, but something about lifting heavy things calms and empties my mind. As a chaotic person, the repetitive ritual of going to the gym every morning makes me feel a little more put together, and the familiar faces I see each day feel like a bunch of friends. It is also a quick fix for any frustrations going on because I know if I go sweat it out I will walk out of the gym with a better perspective. It is also an appointment I keep with myself. It literally goes on my calendar so I schedule around it instead of shortchanging myself or overbooking my morning. I try to reward myself with a great smoothie too!

For me, I enjoy socializing with my friends and family, but as an extroverted introvert, it's important that I remember to take time out for myself. Whether that means setting aside an hour to two to curl up in bed with a book, popping in my headphones and doing some solo baking, or pouring myself a glass of wine and soaking in the tub, some 'me time' always helps me relax and recharge my batteries.

Today's giveaway is perfect for helping set the mood for relaxation: a six month subscription to Vellabox's Vivere Box, plus an essentials kit that includes a match jar set, wick trimmer, and snuffer. To enter, head on over to our list of Best Self Care Subscription Boxes. You'll find the giveaway posted at the top of the page. Good luck!

Please remember that it's normal to feel stressed this time of year, and it can be healthy to take time out from the festivities to practice self care. If you need some extra support and would like to explore additional resources, check out our list of the Best Mental Health Apps.

Today is day 10! Check back tomorrow for another giveaway. Learn more about Vellabox here!