Late nights, rich food, visiting relatives, time off work and a calendar full of “just this once” exceptions can quickly turn normal routines upside down.
While a little disruption is part of the season, losing all structure can leave you feeling tired, disorganised and out of sorts.
Maintaining a few steady routines can make Christmastime feel calmer, healthier and far more enjoyable.
Decide Which Routines Matter Most
You don’t need to preserve every habit. Focus on the routines that keep you functioning well.
These often include:
Regular sleep and wake times
Meals at roughly the same times each day
Medication schedules
Personal hygiene and self-care
Daily movement or fresh air
If everything else shifts slightly, that’s fine. Keeping these core routines in place provides a sense of stability.
Keep Your Morning and Evening Anchors
Morning and evening routines are especially powerful during busy periods.
A simple morning anchor might include:
Getting up at a consistent time
Washing, dressing and having breakfast
Taking medication or supplements
An evening anchor could be:
A set wind-down time
Reducing screens before bed
Preparing for the next day
Even when the day itself is chaotic, these bookends help your body and mind stay regulated.
Use Gentle Planning, Not Rigid Schedules
Christmas rarely sticks to timetables, so flexibility is essential.
Instead of hour-by-hour plans, try:
A short daily to-do list with just a few priorities
Reminders for key routines like meals or medication
Blocking out time for rest as well as activity
Think of routines as guide rails rather than rules.
Fit Routines Around Festivities
Routines don’t have to compete with Christmas – they can adapt to it.
Examples include:
Taking a walk before or after a festive meal
Keeping breakfast simple even if lunch is indulgent
Going to bed at your usual time, even if others stay up
Doing your normal skincare or medication routine while travelling
Small consistencies add up.
Protect Sleep Where You Can
Sleep is often the first routine to collapse at Christmas, yet it underpins everything else.
Helpful strategies:
Stick to your usual bedtime as often as possible
Avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol late in the evening
Create a calm sleep environment, even when staying elsewhere
Accept that leaving early is sometimes the healthiest choice
Rest is not optional fuel – it’s maintenance.
Keep Essentials Visible and Accessible
Disruption often leads to forgotten routines simply because things aren’t where they normally are.
Try:
Keeping medications, glasses or hearing aids in one visible place
Packing a small “routine kit” when staying away
Using alarms or reminders during busy days
Reducing friction makes consistency easier.
Let Go of Perfection
Christmas routines will never be perfect, and they don’t need to be. Missing a workout, having a late night or eating differently for a few days does not undo everything.
The aim is not rigid control, but gentle continuity.
Routines are not about denying yourself enjoyment. They exist to support you, especially during busy, emotional or tiring times.
By holding onto a few simple, familiar habits, you give yourself a steadier footing through the festive season. Christmas can still be joyful and spontaneous, just with enough structure to keep you feeling like yourself.
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