LIFESTYLE
As we head into Christmas week and the action ramps up to peak level, breakdown pending, we're here to make you feel a little less frantic. The endless to do lists, present wrapping, cooking, last minute work deadlines and parties will still remain (sorry we can't change those) but we can give you the best ways to make it all feel manageable.
So deep exhale, read on and save this page for when you need a little moment of calm.
The Pre-Party Decompression Shower
Because most of us have JOMO but still have to go out.
In the Christmas season we're often rushing from the office or ticking off the to do list straight to a Christmas party and carrying the day with us. So where we can, before the night begins, we're going to slow it down.
The pre-party shower isn’t just about getting ready. It’s about washing the day off and taking a short pause so we can actually enjoy where we're headed to. No matter if you're having a body shower or an everything shower, the main thing is no rushing. Let the steam build up in the bathroom before stepping in, lay all your products out and dim the lights if it helps. Drop a eucalyptus shower steamer in, take some deep breaths and let the tension and stress leave. It’s five or ten minutes that completely changes how you arrive at your next event.
The Morning-After The Night Before Care Plan
If you escape the festive season without a smidge of a hangover we applaud you, but for the rest of us that aren't superhuman, the real test of December isn’t the evening. It’s the morning after.
Late nights, heavy food, sugar, alcohol, disrupted sleep, it's the ingredient list for regret the next morning. Without a plan to tackle it, you'll be hiding in your bed or on the sofa feeling sorry for yourself.
If you can stop drinking a few hours before bed and chug a load of water before sleep then thats a real winning start. When you wake up, hydration first, a warm water with lemon and himalayan salt, then onto your coffee, matcha or bone broth, or if you want all three then why not. Get outside for a walk and some natural light even if its not sunny, you'll feel better and then opt for something lighter to refuel, avocado and salmon on sourdough rather than a McDonalds breakfast. If you have a sauna then a short sweat will help or if you're bold, go for a workout.
Take an everything shower, especially if you woke up in last nights makeup, it will bring you back from the dead. Skincare and body care should be comforting. Cleanse gently, moisturise generously, you're skin will be feeling the effects.
The Sunday-Night Reset
We always say that Sunday evenings done well set the tone for the week ahead, but that's especially true in December.
Were not aiming for peak productivity or stacking new habits, we're stabilising existing ones, good sleep, working out, clean eating. Christmas goes against all these things, and that's totally fine, enjoying family time and making memories are what it's all about. But keeping our existing habits where we can will help us feel in control, not sway too far from our goals and maintain a sense of being anchored.
Reset the physical space first. Meal prep, house cleaned, laundry done, fresh sheets on the bed. Even if it's not as organised or as much as usual, its fine, it all adds up.
Then reset yourself. An everything shower or bath. Hair washed, shaved to resemble a dolphin, face mask done, body care complete. Choose some things that will make Monday easier; devices down earlier than usual, lay out the next days clothes, healthy breakfast prepared, to do list written, your future you will thank you.
Staying Well During Peak Social Season
Flu season loves to see December coming, so if you don't want to get sick this year, then some small steps will be major for prevention.
Don't burn yourself out. You don’t need to attend everything. You don’t need to be the last one to leave. Irish exits are your friend. Choose which gatherings matter to you to attend and say no to the rest.
Anchor your days with non-negotiables that help you feel your best. Movement, even a gentle walk, home cooked meals, gut healthy foods and sleep prioritised whenever possible. These are the foundations that hold your immune system up.
Increase your vitamin C, it's not a vitamin that your body can store so it's always helpful to load it throughout the day. Add in some elderberry gummies, they are the biggest flu hack we know.
How to Say No Without Guilt
We can be graceful with saying No so no parties still feel bad. It's not a decision that needs justification, but it does benefit from some warmth, after all someone has taken the time to invite you to something.
Rather than a non committal maybe or worse a yes but then ghosting, a decent no is clearer and kinder to the host. Thank the person, acknowledge the invitation and then decline without over-explaining. The more reasons you give, the more space you leave for persuasion.
- That sounds lovely, but I’m keeping things light this month.
- I won’t be able to make it I have a prior commitment, but I hope it’s a great evening.
- I’m saying no to a few things right now to protect my energy.
Saying no isn’t rude, it’s honest. And honesty, delivered kindly, is always appropriate.
Stay Calm and...
We don't just fall into calm December, it takes a little bit of work but the rewards are tenfold. These small consistent decisions, choosing habits over excess, protecting our energy over being the life and soul of the party and as always, quality over quantity, makes December stop feeling like something to survive but rather to genuinely enjoy.