A Nutritionist’s Guide to Surviving Christmas Stress
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The festive season is full of sparkle - but let’s be honest, it can also feel a bit much. Routines go out the window, sleep gets patchy, social plans stack up, and suddenly you’re living on coffee and mince pies. If you’ve felt a little overwhelmed already, you’re definitely not the only one.
To help you get through December feeling more balanced and less frazzled, here’s a simple, realistic guide from our Nutritional Therapist, Cathriona Hodgins, on supporting your body and mind during the festive rush.
1. Balance Your Eating (Without Stressing About “Perfect”)
Christmas isn’t the time for strict rules - it’s about finding a middle ground, so you still feel good.
A few small (and totally doable) habits can make a big difference:
- Add protein to meals to help keep your energy steadier.
- Sneak in colour where you can - berries, spinach, peppers, anything.
- Keep “easy wins” at home: soups, overnight oats, chopped fruit, hummus, nuts.
- Try not to skip meals - long gaps can make you feel drained later.
Think gentle nutrition, not perfection. The goal is to feel nourished, not restricted.
2. Manage Overwhelm with Simple Daily Rituals
Stress often peaks in December because we try to do too much at once. Grounding yourself with small routines can make a big difference.
- Morning check-in: What’s your one priority for the day?
- Move your body: Even 10 minutes can clear mental clutter.
- Take a pause: A cup of tea in silence, a short walk, or breathing exercises.
- Protect your evenings: Slow lighting, screens off earlier, a warm shower or bath.
Tiny pockets of calm create more resilience when life feels hectic.
3. Why Nutrition Matters During Stressful Seasons
When you’re stretched, tired, or running on adrenaline, your body uses up nutrients more quickly. That’s why balanced meals, hydration, and smart supplementation can leave you feeling more centred and steadier throughout December.
Consistency beats intensity here - small daily habits really do add up.
4. Spotlight Support: L-Theanine, Ashwagandha & Magnesium Bisglycinate
During busy or stressful periods, certain nutrients and botanicals are often chosen by nutrition professionals to help support balance, focus, and overall wellbeing. Here’s a closer look at why these four ingredients are often included in a December wellness routine:
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in green tea and is widely recognised for its ability to support a calm yet alert state. It’s often used to help promote mental clarity and concentration, making it useful during times when your mind feels overstimulated or pulled in many directions. Many people find it helps create a more centred, focused feeling during busy days.
Ashwagandha (KSM-66®)
Ashwagandha is a traditional adaptogenic herb — meaning it helps the body adapt to physical and emotional stressors. KSM-66® is a concentrated, clinically studied extract known for maintaining the full spectrum of the plant’s active compounds. It’s often used to support balance, resilience, and overall wellbeing during periods of heightened stress or demand.
Magnesium Bisglycinate
Magnesium plays an important role in hundreds of processes in the body, including muscle relaxation and nervous system function. The bisglycinate form is gentle on the stomach and highly absorbable, making it a popular choice for those looking to support relaxation, ease tension, and wind down more comfortably in the evenings.
Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle is traditionally used to support digestion and liver function - particularly useful during periods when dietary routines shift or indulgence is more frequent. It’s commonly chosen in winter to help support digestive comfort and overall balance when meals tend to be richer or more irregular.
Surviving Christmas stress doesn’t require a perfect routine. It’s about looking after the basics - nourishment, rest, small daily rituals, and thoughtful ways to support your body.
Give yourself permission to slow down where you can, enjoy what matters most, and step into the season feeling a little more balanced.