A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Cynthia’s Healthy Holiday Tips
Do you switch up your self care routine during the holidays?
It's so hard. Being a busy time for Violets are Blue, as well as for me personally, it's a challenge to carve out time for me. But I'm getting better at it each year.
What are your favorite self care rituals this time of year and why?
Baths! I LOVE a good soak. It gives me a clear-headed and de-stressed feeling at the end of the day, and my makes skin feel super soft. I usually make my own soak (see below for recipe), fill the bathroom with candles, leave my phone in the other room, and relax.
How do you detox from festive foods, long days, and late nights?
This has been a loooong struggle for me. I am learning to be proactive with the “holiday heaviness”, as I like to call it, and make sure to plan ahead, particularly when I’m going to a party. I eat healthy before I go and drink lots of water during the night to avoid over- indulging. I also make sure to stick with my exercise routine during the holidays, even if it means pulling myself out of bed when all I want to do is sleep in. For me, one slip can lead to a landslide.
How do you make time for self care rituals during the holidays?
I try to get up an hour earlier than usual, and use that time to meditate or set personal intentions for the day. This is time for me, not the business.
Does self gifting play a role in your holiday self care routine?
I struggle with this, but I think it is important to put yourself first during this busy time of year. It’s so easy to leave yourself out of the mix, and if you don't take time for self care, you can find yourself literally sick. Self gifting can be hard when one feels like they are already spending so much on others, but self gifting to me is more about taking time for the simple things, like reading that book I've had on my shelf or spending a great evening with my closest girlfriends. Those things are just as rewarding as buying myself that watch I've been wanting.
How do you keep your skin glowing through the holiday season?
Not only is it a time where I may consume a bit more alcohol and sweets, but it's also when the harsh weather rolls in, so I double up on products that I would normally use alone. I add a few drops of the Carrot Seed Serum to my Body Cream and apply directly after showering. I use our Body Scrub daily instead of twice weekly, and apply the Smoothing Clay Mask and wash it off by adding our Facial Cleanser with White and Green teas on top. I also start applying our Foot Salve to my hands and elbows to avoid the dry cracked feel that happens in cold weather.
Any natural energy boosters you can share?
Doubling up on water intake and a 30 minute run helps recalibrate my energy. I find I not only sleep better when I stick to my running schedule, but I don't feel like I need a nap at 4 p.m.
What is your go-to stress reliever for the holidays?
Okay, this is an odd one, but I LOVE to play pickle ball and try to play at least once a week. It’s the only time where my mind is shut down from things I have to do or work I have to get to. It's a game that is so much fun and you have to be in the moment. Imagine tennis, ping pong, and badminton combined, and that is pickle ball! Google it, you'll want to start playing!
Any DIY tips to try at home?
An Epsom salt bath is the easiest holiday self care ritual you can create. Combine a half cup of Epsom salts, a quarter cup Dead Sea salt, a dash of baking soda, dried lavender (or 5-6 drops of lavender essential oil), dried rosemary, and a little lemon zest.Ready to set your own self care rituals for the season? Cynthia’s healthy holiday tips are easy and most can be done right at home. Make time for yourself this busy time of year and you’ll feel healthy, happy, and ready to take on the New Year.
