I don't know if you've seen my social media or lack therefore I've really been struggling as I pushed myself slightly too far in the lead up to Christmas with working, family events and last minute shopping to make sure I had everything needed to make it special for everyone else but I then quickly spiralled into a flare up and I have to ramp up my self care and protective measures to help me recover but I thought that I would also share with you all as it might be quite interesting for others who are feeling very drained after the festive season.
For anyone that really struggles with chronic illness flare ups, you know that flare ups can come thick and fast or they can slowly creep up on you. So I try and give myself grace and give myself a couple of 'rot days' where I put no pressure on myself other than to wake, take my medication, hydrate and rest. Whether that be staying in bed all day either sleeping on and off or I'll be catching up on all my shows/movies I've saved to watch or started and fallen asleep during, or pottering around the house doing small tasks and then curling up with the dog on the couch. I try not to do anything that takes too much physical or mental effort or energy.
Either during a flare up, or even on an average day I love using heat and being warm so I'm obsessed with my heating pad and my new hot water bottle. I got this super cute pink hot water bottle with lilac stitching which is just me all over and I love using it to help with joint pains and body aches, as well as for warming myself up when I'm curled up in bed or on the couch as I'm forever cold in my hands and feet so this helps to warm me up. Pairing this with plenty of fluids so I always make sure I have plenty of water as well as my favourite hot drinks which at the minute is chai lattes.
The festive season can involve a lot of socialising and especially when I'm low on spoons, I need a period where I'm antisocial for a bit and have a bit of digital detox and that can mean not speaking to loved ones, friends and family. The people close to me are very aware and will keep things to a minimum or will just ask me to like a message if I'm ok or we have a poop emoji scale if I'm struggling and need help. For myself, I had a bit of a social media break, although I did watch some live's on tiktok cause they were good for me to almost zone out too and to watch in bed or on the couch but I struggled with facing you all in posts on social media when I was feeling utterly rubbish.
I will slowly get back into self care as when I'm struggling my skincare is stripped back cause I haven't got the energy so I will usually stick to the basics and on the really rough days, that can be just micellar water and a nourishing moisturiser but on other days when I have more energy, I will do a more of my skincare routine or I will use my eye patches and sheet masks so as I'm relaxing in bed or on the couch I can inject some more much needed hydration into my skin.
How do you look after yourself during the festive season?
Speak to you next time!
*This blog post contains items gifted for review. All opinions are honest and my own.
