Your December Self-Care List

It's the final month of the year and the Holidays are here! Remember to slow down and take some time for yourself with our strategies for self-care.

Join us for 31 days of self-care activities to make the most of this month. You can follow the calendar we've created for you or mix and match as you choose. 

Week 1: December 1-7

This week we focus on setting the tone for the rest of the month, with a focus on the gifts we have to share.

Theme: Generosity

Affirmation: I give and receive according to my values. 

"Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways

it can change someone else's life forever."

 ~Margaret Cho

1. Sunday: Set an Intention for the Month. Spend a little time with your journal today. Think about how the past month went for you. Ask yourself: How do I want the end of the year to go? Do I have any specific plans or needs for the holidays? How do I want to feel? What do I want to accomplish? 
2. Monday: Do Something Different. Did you know that the first days of the week and/or month are when our motivation is highest? Take advantage of this fact and start your month off with a win! Looking to change your drinking? Join our free 28-day Change Your Drinking Challenge!
3. Tuesday: Give to a Favorite Nonprofit on Giving Tuesday. Here are two of my favorites that support mental health for underserved populations: The Trevor Project and The Loveland Foundation.
4. Wednesday: Journal About Giving & Receiving. What is one way you can practice generosity with your time, attention, or energy this week? What ripple effect might that create?
5. Thursday: Make a Nourishing Soup on National Comfort Food Day.
6. Friday: Shop Local. Meet up with friends to visit some local stores. Keep an eye out for any holiday pop-ups.
7. Saturday: Make a Pear Mocktail or Cocktail for World Pear Day. Check out my recipes here and here. 

Week 2: December 8 - 14

This week, we hone in on the relationships that matter. 

Mood: The Gift of Connection

Affirmation: I cherish and celebrate the presence of those I love.

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. 

They must be felt with the heart.”
~Helen Keller

8. Sunday: Enjoy a Winter Outdoor Activity. Try ice skating, sledding, cross country skiing. Just be sure to move your body outdoors today. 

9. Monday: Make a Seasonal Mocktail. Check out some of my recipes on Instagram for a creative idea. 

10. Tuesday: Take Some Time to Journal About Your Growth This Year. How have you grown this past year? How can this year’s personal growth help you become more of the person you want to be in the future?

11. Wednesday: Journal About Your Appreciation for the Presence of Loved Ones. What are three ways you can express your gratitude for the people you love this week? How might this deepen your connection?

12. Thursday: Ferment Some Cranberries. I’ll be using this recipe to get some cranberries fermenting in honey for recipes later this month. You can enjoy the cranberries in a holiday yogurt parfait, on crostini with ricotta, blended as a traditional cranberry sauce, or try this mocktail/cocktail recipe I made.  

13. Friday: Watch a Live Holiday Performance. Whether you’re more into the Nutcracker or the Grinch, you can find local theater and music performances in your hometown this weekend. Make a date with some friends or take the kids!!

14. Saturday: Gaze at the Full Moon. Bundle up this evening to view the full moon (officially at it’s peak 1:02 am PST / 4:02 am EST tomorrow). This moon is sometimes called the Cold Moon.

Week 3:  December 15 - 21

At the mid-way point of the month, we celebrate our gifts.

Theme: Shine Bright

Affirmation: The brighter I shine, the more light there is for others.

“There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.” 

~Khalil Gibran

15. Sunday: Make Some Homemade Gifts. Bake and decorate your favorite cookies from childhood, make a pinecone bird feeder, or special handmade ornaments to give. Enjoy some peppermint mochas while you craft. 

16. Monday: Pick an affirmation for the week. Say something to yourself that reminds of what truly matters. Check out our Affirmation Journal for our favorite affirmations!

17. Tuesday: Create a Holiday Playlist. No more playing the same handful of songs on repeat. Look for the songs you want to hear and make a playlist for the next week.

18. Wednesday: Journal About Shining Brightly. Who is someone you know that shines brightly? How can you learn from and be inspired by their gifts?

19. Thursday: Enjoy a Hot Mulled Beverage. Simmer cider or wine (even a NA wine) on the stovetop with some cinnamon sticks, a sliced orange, some fresh ginger, and a few cloves. It will make your house smell amazing! Take it outside for a minute to enjoy the crisp air. 

20. Friday: Find the Festive Lights. Go for a drive or visit a local light festival to enjoy a magical light display. Listen to your favorite holiday tunes along the way. 

21. Saturday: Celebrate Winter Solstice. On this shortest day of the year, we anticipate the return of light. Create a tradition of your own. You could make a Yule Log cake, light some candles, put out a wreath, or host a celebratory bonfire with friends and loved ones. 

Week 4: December 22-28

Find a way to make this week meaningful as we reach the peak of the Holiday Season. Keep the traditions that you enjoy - let go of the ones you don’t.

 Theme: Celebrate Your Inner Child

Affirmation: Loving my inner child is the greatest gift I can give.

"The soul is healed by being with children — including the one within you."

~Fyodor Dostoevsky

22. Sunday: Make a List of 3 Holiday Must-Haves. Pause and think about what truly brings you joy during the holidays. Commit to prioritizing those activities for yourself. Maybe it’s a favorite Christmas film, baked treat, quality time with a certain person, or listening to a special playlist. Get clear about what matters to you. 

23. Monday: Watch a Favorite Holiday Movie. Maybe it's an old favorite or maybe you find something new. Don't ask me why, but I'm always drawn to The Family Stone. And of course, Elf is an annual holiday must watch. 

24. Tuesday: Celebrate Christmas Eve with Homemade Eggnog. Try my eggnog recipe to share with friends. 

25. Wednesday: Dress for Christmas Day. Is today the day you wear that velvety or sparkly dress you’ve been saving? Or is it a pjs all day kind of day? Wear what feels right to set the mood today!

26. Thursday: Take a Mindful Walk. Get friends or family to bundle up and join you on a mindful walk or hike. Use your 5 senses to ground and notice everything natural around you. How does the air feel? What sounds do you hear? What colors do you see? Compare notes and share your insights with one another!

27. Friday: Cozy Up With a Good Book. Slow down today and spend some time with a book. Whether it's the one that's been sitting on your nightstand for months, or it's a new gift, today is the day to read. 

28. Saturday: Don't Let the Gloom of Twixmas Get to You. Revisit any of the previous suggestions this month. Get outside. Enjoy holiday leftovers. Connect with friends. Bonus: try staying off your phone. 

Week 5: December 29-31

We take a pause as the year concludes, celebrating and setting intentions for what’s ahead. 

 Theme: Begin Again

Affirmation: I am worthy of beautiful endings and exciting beginnings.

"And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings."

~Meister Eckhart

29. Sunday: Focus on Resetting Your Sleep Hygiene. Prioritize good sleep tonight by leaving all screens outside the bedroom or putting them on airplane mode, creating a wind-down routine to carry you into the new year, and setting a consistent bedtime. 

30. Monday: Reflect with Gratitude. Think about 3 things from this past year that you are grateful for. 

31. Tuesday: Take Some Time to Reflect & Journal About the Past Year. How can you feel more grounded and thankful for what happened this year? What do you hope for the year ahead?

I hope you have the best month ever!

WHENEVER YOU FEEL UP FOR IT,

HERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU:

Join the Mindful Moderation Course to forever change your mindset about drinking and more. 

Work with a therapist or coach on my team to create a personalized plan to finish the year strong.

Get personalized coaching from me.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday month,

Dr. Hannah