The most wonderful time of the year is here again, and everyone is getting ready to head home for the holidays. Maybe you’re busy setting up your home to host family and friends? Either way, we are all riding the high of togetherness.

We are reuniting with hometown friends, long-lost cousins, and estranged uncles. All who expect to see us in one week. The one week our company so gracefully gave us off, including the days we had to take from our own personal PTO. Ugh.

Drinks with friends are scheduled, dinners with cousins are planned, and family outings have been hesitantly arranged. There’s even time dedicated to seeing your childhood dentist. Raise your hand if you low-key love your dental hygienist…

Sadly, with so much joy comes a price. The damage? A week of constant socialization. Consistent socializing is sometimes good, especially for the extroverts out there, but the expectation of being “on” all week is daunting. We may give too much and forget to check in with ourselves.

The self-love we’ve built throughout the year faces its last challenge of the year. We want to feel our best, but sometimes all the social catch-ups and life updates may leave us feeling less than adequate. Especially with everyone sharing their own success elevator pitch at the holiday party.

It’s hard to avoid the comparison bug with so much to compare ourselves to. Friend’s promotions, expensive gifts, hometown engagements…. So instead of surrendering to our mind’s negative power, I’ve pulled together a few easy tips to avoid or even redirect our beautiful minds away from comparisons and overthinking.

Five ways to pull out the secret weapon of simply making time for ourselves.

Pack your self-help journal.

Sure, it adds a bit of weight to the case, but it’s a simple way of walking through your thoughts. Try journaling at night! No one is disturbing you when everyone else is already in bed. Write the events of the day and process your thoughts and feelings on paper. Set intentions for tomorrow and see how your perspective shifts before you sleep. You’ll wake up feeling even just a little lighter.

Morning meditations.

If you are lucky enough to have your own room during the holidays, give yourself a few extra minutes before reentering the holiday madhouse. Take a moment to practice breathwork. Set your intentions for the day, or even write in your journal. If you’re sharing a room, use the dog as an excuse to get outside. Try to wake up thirty minutes before everyone else and do a walking meditation outside or simply just think.

Here are a few of my favorite guided meditations!

Meditation Burst #2 - Get Grounded When the Mind is Chaotic by The Yoga Bunny

Appreciate the World Around You By Headspace

5 Minute Guided Meditation by Headspace

Keep It Cleaner - My favorite Health & Wellness App that offers mood-based guided meditations. Start with a 7-day free trial.

Wait an extra five minutes before getting out of your car.

Before knocking on the holiday party door, or returning home from last-minute shopping, give a few moments to yourself in the car alone. Turn on your favorite Christmas song or sit in silence. There’s something therapeutic about being alone in a car. For just a moment, you’re the only person in the world. Need some pumping up? Blast Ariana Grande’s Christmas & Chill.

Schedule a workout class.

No one’s going to disturb you when you're cycling to some Christmas pop in a cycle dome. Move your body and let out some built-up tension. Working out is only for you. It’s a gift to yourself. Plus, who doesn’t feel strangely powerful while doing Pilates? So if you’re looking for a sign. Do it. Sign up for the class!

Give yourself permission to sleep in.

I know it’s hard with your calendar bursting with plans, but allow yourself one morning to wake up with no alarm. Maybe watch an episode of your favorite show in bed alone. Just you and Logan Huntzberger.

Remember, even when it doesn’t seem like it, you have just as much value and success as everyone around you. You are beautiful; you are powerful, and you have permission to do nothing this season. Oh, and to eat another chocolate Santa.

5 Easy Ways to Make Time for Yourself this Holiday Season