Calm Amid the Chaos: My Holiday Thrive Kit
Does the end-of-year holiday season fill you with excitement and anticipation, or a mix of dread and anxiety? Sure, I love the sparkling lights, endless plates of food, cozy socks, and my 10,000th rewatch of Die Hard, but let’s be honest: this time of year comes with its fair share of stress.
With packed schedules and mandatory family fun, I’ve found a few wellness hacks that keep me feeling healthy, balanced, and dare I say—even a bit sparkly—all season long.
Prioritize Rest (Yes, I Said It)
We all know sleep is essential, but if I had a dollar for every time I said that and didn’t follow through, I’d be...well-rested, for starters. Late nights and social shenanigans can turn sleep into an elusive sugar-plum fairy, and without it, I’m basically a sleep-deprived snow golem.
Here’s my go-to nighttime lineup: Pukka Herbs Night Time Tea—a cozy blend with oat flower, lavender, and lime flower. Sweetened with a bit of honey, it’s basically a warm blanket in a cup.
When I need extra help, I turn to Stress-Relax Magnesium Nighttime Powder. This magic powder stirs into water, and the combination of magnesium and melatonin helps me shake off the day’s tension and regulate that pesky sleep-wake cycle.
Tea Time is Me Time
Sipping tea or a latte after meals or before bed is my small ritual that keeps me feeling calm, centered, and totally spoiled. As the holidays are basically a mix of gravy-drenched mashed potatoes and too-few daylight hours, when I need a mental and digestive reset, Earth’s Aromatique Unwind Tea comes to the rescue. It won’t stop my baby cousins from running around screaming, but it does help me stay zen through the chaos.
For post-holiday-feasting, I go with Organic Traditions Turmeric Latte with Probiotics—anti-inflammatory, soothing, and packed with probiotics for digestion.
Honorable mention: NOW Super Enzymes capsules. They're not tea, but a few of these before a big meal and my digestion’s golden. No turkey farts here!
Get Through It with Immune Support
Not today, winter sickness! Immune-boosting supplements are a daily must for me. OHV-Brand's Bee-Immune combines bee propolis, elderberry, echinacea, and other immune-friendly ingredients to keep me resilient.
For on-the-go support, I stash Honibe Honey Lozenges with Vitamin C in my bag. They’re sweet, soothing, and give me a quick hit of Vitamin C when my throat’s feeling scratchy or someone at a party is talking just a little too close. Or I’ll mix a mocktail with Elderberry Syrup. Delicious, practical, and effective.
Bathing as Therapy
After shoveling the driveway for what feels like the billionth time, I treat myself to a warm bath. My go-to? Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes to melt away muscle tension. They’re unscented, which is perfect for me, but if I want to go all-out, I grab a Bathorium Boreal Fog Bath Bomb. With eucalyptus and Siberian fir, it turns my tub into an evergreen forest—like the Christmas tree before we chopped it down, dragged it inside, and humiliated it with tinsel. 🙂
And if you’re new to Bathorium, they offer various scents with unique qualities, so explore their lineup and pick a few.
Hydrate Like It’s Your Job
Staying hydrated is a top priority for me to keep energy up, digestion smooth, and mood lifted. My secret? No, not vodka (not this time). I zhuzh up my water with lemon, cucumber, or electrolytes with collagen.
I’m a “chugger” rather than a “sipper,” so I drink a glass of water first thing in the morning, again while making coffee, and keep a water bottle with me all day. For every holiday drink, I alternate with a glass of water.
When I want something warm, herbal teas are another great hydration option.
Set Boundaries and Embrace the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO)
Holiday invitations pile up fast, and it’s tempting (guilt-inducing) to say yes to everything. But I’ve learned that saying “no” to a few things can save my sanity. Protecting my peace is priority #1 this season.
Some treats I keep on hand for my “JOMO nights” include:
Setting intentions to feel relaxed, joyful, and grounded keeps me focused, and politely declining a few invites is my newest power move.
Joy as Essential Nourishment
The best part of the holidays? Enjoying myself. Laughter, connection, and a break from rampant perfectionism make up my holiday wellness toolkit. Because at the end of the day, time spent with loved ones and moments of appreciation are more nourishing than any tea, supplement, or bath soak.
Final Thought: This season, I’m filling my cup with joy, rest, and gratitude. It’s the best way to keep my spirit warm and my heart full. Here’s to savouring each moment—because joy is the nutrient that truly feeds the soul.