Self-care tips for the holidays

During particularly hectic stretches of time (aka the holidays), it can be immensely useful to listen to your mind and body. Feeling tired? Skip that party and hop in the bubble bath instead, or decorate your house for no one but yourself. Is it self-indulgent? Maybe a little. But it’s the holidays after all, and you deserve it. We’ve got the best self-care tips from us and our community. Simply pick the ones you like.  

Be honest about how you feel (mainly to yourself)  

Between party commitments, plans you were initially excited about, FOMO and other people’s gleeful Instagram posts, it can be hard to admit that you’re feeling more meh than merry… especially to yourself. “I think it’s important to be okay with the fact that you’re not always okay,” says Fien, a dancer from Belgium and the face of our latest thong campaign. “When we see someone loving herself and being confident, we often assume she’s like this all the time.” But moods (and cycles) fluctuate. Fien continues: “I’m confident, but not always at 100%. Downs are a part of life too, and it helps to embrace them and love yourself throughout them.” So next time you feel that unidentified underbelly feeling before rushing out to a party, take a deep breath and consider if you’re really in the mood to go.  

Keep an eye on your cycle  

“If I feel ugly, I always consider if I’m getting my period soon,” laughs Michelle, an Amsterdam-based artist and the other face of our thong campaign. PMS and periods can have an impact on both your mind and body. Michelle explains that she gets bloated, but other symptoms include break-outs, aches, pains, mood swings and more. Many people will want to look and feel their best during the holidays, which can make these symptoms a hard pill to swallow – especially if you lose (or are too busy to) keep track of your cycle. However, being able to explain, adjust to, and even plan for these symptoms can be incredibly helpful. “Whenever I realise by bloating is due to my period, I’m like… oh yeah… that explains everything,” says Michelle. Relatable? Track your cycle, babe.  

Eat mindfully (yeah, we know this is a hard one) 

 Another tip of Michelle is to be mindful of what you eat. In her case, this means: “ditching the junk food and replacing it with lots of fruit, vegetables and tea.” Of course, this is particularly challenging during the holidays, with their cornucopia of great (although not always healthy) food. But this is not about dieting. Mindful eating can be as simple as listening to your gut, savouring your food (and the Christmas cookies too) and stopping when you are full. Perhaps, ditch the wine one evening or eat an apple or a salad when you feel like it.  

Create a super comfy space  

The tree, the garlands, the mistletoe – decorations are an inherent part of the holidays. But did you know that these decorations were historically used to ward off bad spirits? You can take a similar approach when decking your own house, meaning you can add stuff that makes you feel comfortable and happy (trees, baubles and twinkly lights, sure – but plaids, scented candles and nice mugs can work just as well). “I love the comfort of a soft blanket,” says Fien. Similarly, hide the stuff that gives off bad vibes. That ugly vase from your in-laws and your work laptop? You can see those in the new year.  

Stock up on period products  

During the holidays, you’ll likely run from cooking to wrapping gifts to applying your makeup. Meaning there’s no time for a last-minute drug store run because you ran out of your favourite cotton tampons. In other words, stock up on period products (pro tip: for yourself and your guests) ahead of the holidays. You get bonus self care points if you opt for our soft, 100% cotton panty liners, pads or tampons.