Ah, the holidays. That magical time of year where cheese platters multiply like rabbits, champagne somehow counts as hydration, and your carefully built health habits look at the pavlova table and whisper, “we tried.” But here’s the thing — staying healthy over the holidays isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being consistent. You don’t have to skip Grandma’s trifle or avoid the BBQ altogether. You just need a few strategies to get through the season with your habits (and your sanity) mostly intact. Let’s dive in.

1. Set the Scene for Success

Your environment does half the heavy lifting when it comes to habits. Researchers have found that cues around you are more powerful than willpower alone. So instead of relying on sheer grit, set up little reminders:
• Keep supplements on the bench, not shoved in the back of a cupboard.
• Stock healthy snacks at eye level in the fridge (move the box of Favourites out of sight — out of mind).
• Prep a healthy share dish to bring along to events. Not only does it guarantee you’ll have something nourishing to eat, but it doubles as a thoughtful gift.

Some easy snack ideas to stash at home (or in the car before a road trip):
• Chopped veggie sticks with hummus
• Dark chocolate + fresh berries
• Pre-made dips that are loaded with health and deliciousness.

2. Hydrate Like It’s Your Job

Between champagne toasts, cocktails, and salty snacks, dehydration sneaks up quickly. And let’s be honest — waking up parched and cranky is not the vibe. Keep a big water bottle nearby and aim to drink consistently throughout the day. Even better, start each morning with a tall glass of water with lemon or an electrolyte mix before coffee. Your skin, digestion, and future self will thank you.

Pro tip: alternate every alcoholic drink with a glass of water. You’ll still have fun, but Monday-you won’t have a pounding headache and a head full of regret.

3. Sanity Savers: Mindset & Boundaries

The holidays come with joy… and also stress, awkward family conversations, and that cousin asking why you’re not eating gluten. Here are a few tips to help you navigate it all:

• Combat the chaos with a quick morning practice: sit up in bed, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and choose one word to guide your day (think: patience, ease, compassion, boundaries). Return to it whenever you feel your blood pressure rising — like when Uncle Jeff starts talking politics again.
• Hot digestion tip: Try not to eat with people who stress you out. Sounds dramatic, but science backs it. When you’re sitting at the table silently fuming (looking at you, Uncle Jeff and your political rants), your body shifts into fight-or-flight mode instead of rest-and-digest. Result = bloating, indigestion. Instead just politely excused yourself and eat somewhere in peace.

5. Move Your Body (Without the Gym)

Holiday exercise doesn’t need to mean hitting the gym. Think festive, fun, and sneaky movement:
• Post-lunch walks around the block
• Backyard cricket with the kids
• A morning stretch or Pilates flow before the day kicks off

The goal isn’t calorie-burning — it’s digestion, energy, and sanity.

6. Follow the 80/20 Rule (a.k.a. Don’t Be a Health Grinch)

Let’s get real — you’re going to eat the pudding. And the pav. And probably a rum ball or three. That’s called living. Instead of aiming for perfection, go for balance. Stick with your healthy habits about 80% of the time and let the other 20% be reserved for indulgences you truly love. That might look like:

• Fill most of your plate with protein and veggies, then add a side of your favourite holiday dish.
• Choose wholefood snacks (fruit, nuts, veggie sticks) most of the time but say yes to the cheese board when you really want it.• Savour the treats you love (Grandma’s trifle, Mum’s pudding) and skip the ones you don’t actually care about.

The Takeaway

Holidays aren’t about restriction — they’re about connection, celebration, and joy. By keeping things simple (hydrate, move, set intentions, set boundaries, and stick with your habits most of the time), you’ll roll into the new year feeling steady, not regretful.