As the year comes to a close, many find themselves getting busier and busier with the semester wrapping up and holidays approaching. While this can be a hectic and overwhelming time of year for many, you should always remember to make time to take care of yourselves. Though everyone’s versions of self-care can look a little different, here are some recommendations that I know will always relax me and put a smile on my face in spite of any type of week I may have had.
- Feel Good Movies & TV Shows
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While everybody has different preferences on what to watch on TV – choosing to watch films or a TV series, a specific genre, and more – everyone has their favorites. No matter the type, curling up with a good TV show or movie after a long week is a highlight of my self-care days and really helps me to relax. Personally, rom-com films and drama TV series are my go-to on these days to make me feel better. Here are some of my recommendations!
Films:
– Definitely, Maybe
– The Parent Trap
– The Princess Diaries (1&2, although 2 is my favorite)
– Freaky Friday
– Just Go With It
– The Proposal
– The Other Woman
– Mamma Mia!
– Monte Carlo
TV Series:
– Schitt’s Creek
– Big Little Lies
– Scandal
– One Tree Hill
– Keeping Up With The Kardashians (I know, I know… guilty pleasure)
- Meal Prep
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On self-care days, I like to indulge in whatever I’m in the mood for that day. Now this doesn’t always have to allude to “unhealthy foods”; This could be picking up sushi from the restaurant down the street, making my favorite smoothie, cooking a homemade meal I’m excited about – as cheesy as it sounds, anything that sparks joy, as Marie Kondo says.
- Coloring Books
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Now hear me out on this one! Some people may have outgrown coloring books or think they’re boring, which is totally okay. They might not be for everyone. For me personally, I have found the “stress relieving” coloring books to be helpful when I’m overwhelmed, and it’s calming for me to take some time to focus on this one small thing – even if it’s only for 15 or 20 minutes. It might be worth it to give it a shot, it just may surprise you how fun and engaging they can really be.
- Skincare
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While all of the steps above help to take care of yourself internally, it’s important to take good care of your skin as well. While I’m doing any of the activities above, I will simultaneously put on a face mask, hair mask, or eye depuffers, treating my skin with extra care that I don’t always take during my day to day skincare routine.
As the whirlwind year that is 2020 comes to a close, finding a balance to take care of yourself during these last couple of months is extremely important. While everything that is on the to-do list for these next couple of weeks is important, taking care of your emotional and mental health is important as well and should be taken care of with the same diligence.
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