As we approach the busy holiday season, self-care may be less of a priority as the primary focus is spending quality time with family and friends. While it is important to think of others during this time, it’s also important to take care of yourself during this busy season. With upgrades such as turning around your outdated wardrobe, refreshing skin and body, applying new makeup techniques, improving sleep quality, trying a new hairstyle, and creating a solid support system, wellness can be on the rise to start 2026.
Review the Household Budget
It may be hard enough to get through the holiday season with the amount of expenses that will occur, so it’s a good idea to start freeing up the budget to make a little room for self-care. This may be time to cancel streaming services that would normally occupy your time. As you adopt a healthy lifestyle, you can expect the amount of times eating out will decrease, thus opening potentially hundreds of dollars per month to put to good use.
Turn Around Your Outdated Wardrobe
When is the last time you took a thorough look through your closet? If you’re like many, the clothes continue to pile up and it’s difficult to see the items that are put to the back and are not part of your regular attire. Between a dress you wore to a wedding ten years ago, to faded hoodies, to a cut of jeans that was in style in college, there are plenty of opportunities to make room in your outdated closet. While styles do come back over time, now is not the time to wait it out. Create a donation pile and finally part with these items. Once you’ve put a solid dent, check out the latest trends and start the new year off with a fashionable bang.
Refresh Skin & Body
While cosmetic procedures were once considered taboo, conversations around body autonomy and personal choice have become more open over time. Cosmetic surgery isn’t for everyone, but for some individuals, it can be a carefully considered option tied to physical comfort or long-standing personal concerns. As with any medical decision, realistic expectations, professional guidance, and informed choices are essential. One of the practical considerations is cost, and some clinics now offer options such as spreading expenses into monthly payments, which can make planning and budgeting more manageable for those who have already decided this path is right for them.
Try New Makeup Techniques
If you’re ready to shakeup your tired makeup routine, the good news is that 2025 trends can be easy to integrate and start off 2026 with a fresh new look that won’t shock friends and family. This year it’s all about working to highlight your features, rather than work against them, such as using siren eyeliner for eyes, contoured lips, or glass skin cheeks. Just be sure to utilize a solid skincare routine with products that will not aggravate, topped off with removal products to allow for proper overnight recovery.
Improve Quality of Sleep
Have you noticed that after a rough night of sleep that fine lines and dark circles seem to be brought to the forefront as you give yourself a look in the mirror? That’s because beauty starts with getting proper rest each night. While the amount of hours of proper sleep to get per night vary depending on who you ask, it’s often suggested that eight hours is the sweet spot. If you have trouble winding down at night, practices such as daily exercise, reducing screen time, and experimenting with sheet comfort level can make all the difference in falling asleep without tossing and turning. If your mattress could use an upgrade, there are plenty of comfort options at various price points to fit any budget.
Try a New Hairstyle
If your hairstyle can still be seen in 90s sitcom reruns, it may be time for a change, and it’s never too late to start. Today’s trends include bobs, side/middle parts, waves, and braids. Bangs seem to hang around year after year, but an updated textured look can give a more modern feel. A new look doesn’t have to be high maintenance either, as low maintenance styling can still be made and will not be a pain as it grows out.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
While taking a shot to curb your appetite is the latest trend, unless you’re in dire need or a celebrity, it can be tough to afford that monthly price tag. Instead, opting with healthy eating and daily exercise can trim off extra pounds over time. Even if going to the gym, lifting weights, or jogging isn’t your thing, simply taking walks around the neighborhood, workplace, and going up and down the stairs at home is a good start to get moving around.
Picking up a fitness tracker can be a good way to create friendly competition with yourself to ensure your increasing the amount of daily steps you take. Sticking to non-processed foods, fruits, vegetables, and high protein options such as chicken or fish is a great way to still eat yummy foods without feeling guilty on the amount your intaking. Coming off Halloween and now deep into the holiday season, it can be easy to fall off track, so it’s a good idea to start now.
Create a Solid Support System
If you’re the type of person that needs a little pushing for motivation, having a support system in place to keep you on track can make all the difference. Try walking with a friend while you’re sitting at your child’s sports practice, meal prep with family, or establish the same sleeping routine with a significant other. You don’t have to do this alone and even mentioning you’re looking for healthy alternatives to your normal routine could spark interest in others to do the same.
- This post is part of a paid collaboration.
