The festive season can be a magical time full of lazy mornings, long lunches, afternoon naps and late night singalongs with Aunty Jac. But being out of your standard routine or away from home means extra effort to keep yourself healthy and rested. Here are a few simple things to try, to feel your best during ‘the most wonderful time of the year’.

Clock your sleep

Keeping track of your sleep helps you know you’re getting what you need. 7–9 hours is the optimal amount your body needs to effectively reset, repair and digest from the day before. Anything less constitutes a sleep deficit which can leave your brain foggy and your body in disrepair. If you don’t manage to get 7–9 hours overnight, make up the time with a nap during the day! That’s what the holidays are for.

Discover our top sleep trackers.

Build a sleep ritual

Sleep is the foundation of health, and the holiday season is the perfect time to experiment with new self-care routines. Here’s our favourite sleep ritual for you to try:

1. Have a warm shower. Although it might seem counter-intuitive, a warm shower helps lower your core temperature, which gives you a fast-track to sleep mode.

2. Sniff some essential oils. Lavender is known to be the superhero for calming the nervous system, and promoting deep sleep. Our pillow spray features an array of sleep-inducing botanicals, including lavender. Want to take it a step further? Light a candle and spend some time with your journal or a guided meditation.

3. Give your face a hug, apply your skincare. Sleep is vital care for the skin, and your night-time serums, oils and creams will be happy to help as well. Remember, your skin will probably prefer lighter products in the summer. Pressing them in gently while in bed can feel like a nice little goodnight hug to your face.

4. Block out the world. Lastly, put your sleep mask on and say goodbye to the day. A fresh start awaits you in the morning.

Take a moment to breathe

No matter what the source of stress, we can’t get through it without our breath. By focusing on slow, measured breathing we can regulate our nervous system and calm our mind. There are a few different breathwork activities to try – and we’ve got one here from expert Anna Sillanpää. If you don’t have time to retreat to a quiet corner to watch it, try a classic box breath: breathe in for 4 counts, hold at the top for 4, breathe out for 4 counts, hold at the bottom for 4. And repeat a few times until you feel re-centred.

Wishing you a luxurious, restful season.