Surviving the silly season!

With the rush to finish work and home projects before the end of the year, the pressure to keep up with social occasions and the somewhat off feelings that can present after too much festive cheer (headache anyone), it’s no wonder December seems to go in a blur of exhaustion. The festive season doesn’t have to be so tiresome. Get the energy to thrive in the silly season with our five survival tips:

Alternate alcohol with water. It’s very easy to mindlessly down a few too many drinks while we’re enjoying great conversation and the fun of a Christmas party. Before you know it, you’re waking up with a headache and dreading the morning commute. Alternating alcoholic drinks with water (jazz it up a little with sparkling water and fresh lime) can help you drink that little less and stay a little more hydrated, while still enjoying a few drinks with friends.
Stick to your routine. Do you walk the dog at 6am every morning to help you and your furry best friend start the day relaxed and with a smile? Don’t skip it just because you’ve had a late night. Breaking your routine can leave you feeling stressed during the day, so drag yourself out of bed and into the fresh air — you’ll thank yourself for it and the early start will help you go to bed at a reasonable hour that night.
Prepare your snacks. Heading out to a post-work drinks catch-up? If you don’t want to be tempted by the large bowl of beer battered chips and other friend bar snacks, fill up on your own snacks before you head to the pub. Have a balanced snack with protein, good fats and vegetables to keep you satisfied and your hands out of the chip bowl. Our go-to is vegetable sticks with guacamole or a nutrient-dense smoothie with coconut milk, berries and a generous dollop of nut butter.
Sleep! It can be difficult to maintain your sleep regime when out have a Christmas catch-up every night. Enjoying time with friends and family over the festive season is important, so we won’t tell you not to go, but we advise setting a go-home time so you can be home and in bed at a reasonable hour that will see you get a decent night’s sleep and help you maintain your stamina and health through the month. Tell your friends what time you’ll be leaving so they can help support your decision and you don’t have to feel awkward about leaving at your chosen time. While this can be hard if you have FOMO, we promise the good night’s sleep will be worth it!
Go easy on yourself. If you drink that one too many, eat that bowl of chips and/or stay out until the small hours of the morning when you had planned to be in bed at 10pm, brush it off and give yourself a break. Eat well for the days after, steer away from alcohol and get some sleep. You’re human and it’s Christmas!