Your Festive Survival Kit: 5 Ways to Feel Good (Even When Life Gets Extra Festive)

Guest post from Nutritionist and Hormone Expert Sarah Gale

December has a way of sweeping us up in a swirl of mince pies, fizz, late night plans and last minute to-dos and before we know it, we’re rolling into January feeling more frazzled than festive. But here’s something that I don’t think is talked about enough. You can enjoy everything the season brings and still feel energised, balanced and calm in your body.

There’s no need for restriction, detoxing or “being good.” What most of us really need is a little more understanding of what’s happening inside our bodies at this time of year and a few small, science-backed habits that help us feel grounded amidst the chaos.

Because December can be hard on the body, not just because of the food or the fizz, but because our routines change, daylight drops, sleep is disrupted and our nervous system is on high alert from constant stimulation. With the right tools, you can support your hormones, digestion and energy levels while still enjoying the magic of the season.

Here are five simple, realistic ways to feel well in December without missing out.

 

 

1.  Keep Your Blood Sugar Steady.

You don’t need me to tell you that eating chocolate coins for breakfast isn’t ideal, but the real December challenge isn’t necessarily the sugar itself, it’s irregular eating. Skipping meals, eating later than usual, grabbing sugary snacks on the go, all of this leads to blood sugar dips, which then trigger sugar cravings, irritability, mood crashes and that familiar “can’t eat just one Quality Street” feeling. 

Keeping your blood sugar steady is one of the easiest ways to feel more energised and in control throughout the festive season.

Try these simple tools:

• Eat something protein rich before drinks or a late night dinner (nuts, Greek yoghurt, a boiled egg, hummus and veggie sticks).

• Pair carbs with fat or protein, think cheese with crackers or nut butter on toast.

• Don’t arrive at a party starving or drink on an empty stomach. It always backfires.
  
  

 

 

2.  Prioritise Magnesium.

December demands a lot from our bodies. More stress, more alcohol and more sugar can all deplete magnesium, the mineral that helps regulate mood, muscle relaxation, energy production and sleep. When magnesium is low, we tend to feel more anxious, wired, achy, headachey, restless and prone to cravings which is exactly what we don’t want.

Easy ways to increase your magnesium:

• A square (or two) of dark chocolate (85%+ cacao).

• Pumpkin seeds sprinkled on porridge.

• Leafy greens added to lunch or dinner.

• A handful of almonds as a pre-event snack.

• A soothing Epsom-salt bath or magnesium spray before bed.
  
  

 

 

3.  Support Your Liver. 

Your liver isn’t just for processing festive cocktails, it also plays a key role in clearing hormones, supporting digestion and keeping inflammation down. In December, it has a lot to do!  This absolutely isn’t about ‘detoxing’ but instead it’s about giving your liver the raw materials it needs to do its job well.

Simple swaps that help:

• Add cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli or cauliflower to meals.

• Try herbal teas that include herbs and spices like milk thistle, dandelion, ginger, turmeric and artichoke.

• Aim for lots of plant-based colour wherever you can. It could be as simple as sprinkling some fresh herbs or pomegranate seeds over your dinner.
  
  

 

 

4.  Reset After a Late Night.

Late nights are inevitable in December and even one night of short or disrupted sleep can have a ripple effect the next day. Research shows that poor sleep increases cravings, raises cortisol, reduces insulin sensitivity and heightens appetite, all of which make it harder to feel balanced. Digestion can also feel slower when your nervous system is tired or overstimulated. 

Because changes to your sleeping pattern disrupt your circadian rhythm, the goal is to help your body find its usual rhythm again as quickly (and kindly) as possible. Try these simple tools to support the reset:

• Get up at your normal time rather than sleeping in, it’s the quickest way to anchor your circadian rhythm again.

• Get outside early in the day. Morning light is one of the fastest ways to reset your internal clock and stabilise cortisol.

• Prioritise natural light throughout the day too, especially if you’re at a desk or indoors a lot.

• Splash your face with cold water to help you feel more alert first thing in the morning.

• Prioritise natural light throughout the day too, especially if you’re at a desk or indoors a lot.

• Return to your usual bedtime that evening, consistency is what recalibrates your rhythm.

 

 

5.  Give Yourself Permission to Slow Down.

December often asks us to be everywhere, with everyone, doing everything but your body is biologically wired for a slower pace in winter. Our ancestors naturally shifted into a “rest and conserve” mode during the darker months and while we don’t hibernate today, that seasonal pull towards quiet, warmth and stillness hasn’t disappeared.

It can feel incredibly hard to slow down when everything around you is speeding up, but when you give your nervous system moments of calm, you support better digestion, steadier hormones and a more balanced mood throughout the month.

Ways to honour your energy:

• Plan at least one “no plans” night each week. Treat it like an appointment and block it out in your diary.

• Practice saying no when you need to. It can feel uncomfortable at first, but protecting your boundaries is essential for your wellbeing.

• Protect your ‘you’ time. Your days might be full of work, social events or running errands, but where can you carve out even 10 quiet minutes just for yourself? A cup of tea, a quick stretch or simply sitting in silence can work wonders.

• Create a simple bedtime wind-down ritual. Putting your phone on charge in another room, doing 5–10 minutes of stretching or reading a few pages of a book signals to your body that it’s safe to slow down and prepare for sleep.

 

Cheers To Balance.

The festive season doesn’t have to leave you bloated, exhausted or overwhelmed. With a few small but powerful shifts, you can enjoy the magic of December while still feeling grounded, nourished and energised.

And if you'd love more support through the month to help you stay energised, reduce bloating, manage cravings and feel more balanced, Sarah's festive ebook Cheers to Balance includes easy meal ideas, digestion tools, alcohol support, symptom relief tips and morning-after rituals you can use throughout December.

 

Meet Sarah...

 

 

Sarah Gale is a Registered Nutritional Therapist, Clinical Nutritionist DipION mBANT and hormone expert and helps women who just can’t lose weight break free of the diet cycle, rebalance their hormones and feel confident in their own skin again.

After a lifetime a hating her body and chronic yo-yo dieting, Sarah realised that yo-yo diets didn’t have the answers and by balancing her hormones, fixing her metabolism and working on her mindset she could finally lose the weight and get her self-confidence back.

You can find out more about Sarah and the services she offers over at Sarah Gale Nutrition.