Be good to yourself. Now.

Christmas is over. The decorations may still be up, and some of the unwrapped gifts still sitting under the tree. But the parties are over and stores are offering huge sales to move merchandise at year-end.

And how are you doing? Do you feel a post-holiday slump? Do you love the hustle and bustle of December, the baking, the events with family and friends, the shopping and gift wrapping? And now you miss it?

Or are you just glad it's over? Now you can catch your breath and get back to your more regular routine. Whew! You survived.

Or is this a difficult season for you every year? Perhaps you dreaded it. But you've made it through another one.

For some this is not a happy time of year. Period. For others, it's fun but exhausting; and they're ready to get back to normal. And for still others of you, you miss the activities. Perhaps you especially miss those times with family and friends. It went too quickly. And you're bummed that it's already over.

Wherever you fall on the spectrum at this time of year, I hope you will take time to notice. Take your own emotional temperature. And then choose what you will do about it. Seek out a friend with whom you can spend time. Do something fun. Treat yourself to a nice meal, a bubble bath or curl up with a good book and cup of steaming hot tea. Exercise (that often gets the good juices moving).

The idea is to develop your awareness about how you feel—and to make choices that are good for you. Good self-care is always important. At this time of year, it's especially important.