Holiday season can be stressful for some people, it can also be depress as well. When you spend your time caring for several someones and trying to make everyone happy, you can fall into the feeling of sadness and resentment. “Giving without expecting in return” is an acting of generosity. It is easy said than done. When you try your hardest to make everyone happy and everything merry, you will need a little acknowledgement from those that you care, someone to notice your meanings behind all the hard work. You want your reward of attention and affection. People tend to forget to thank you for everything you have done. It is hard to change other people.

The easier way is to change yourself, change your way of doing things. Look at yourself more and start taking care of yourself. It might sound a little selfish BUT it is important to love and take care of yourself.

1. Share the wealth. The post-holiday sales are the perfect time to play Santa for yourself. If you     see something that make you gaze in awe, do not hesitate to spoil yourself because your deserve it.

2. Reward yourself with relaxation. Take a lazy day to read and sip some drink by the window     in a coffee shop, or splurge on something pampering, like a pedicure or a massage.

3. Let others handle the clean-up. You’ve spent weeks organizing and planning and preparing.   Now it is a time for others to step in and do their share, and who knows — the helping habit might        stick!

4. Give yourself the gift of time off. Stop doing things, stop running around. Even if it’s an hour   or two walking around the neighborhood enjoying those Christmas lights or half an hour to soak in   the tub inhaling those scented candles.

5. Visit a friend. Now it’s your turn to enjoy being a guest. Reach out to a friend who has been   wanting to get together. Let someone else make the coffee and put out a plate of snacks, and indulge in some well-deserved socializing that’s not work for you. Sit back and relax; you’ll be surprised how good it feels to enjoy someone else’s hospitality for a change.

Source: http://www.caring.com/blogs/caring-currents/care-for-yourself-this-christmas