Are you struggling with festive fatigue? Let the CF team provide you with a pre-Christmas gift – our tried and trusted wellness rituals for beating all kinds of stress and burnout.
Including the activity that clears our beauty editor’s busy mind and our founder’s favourite relaxation hack, these are the wellness rituals we trust to safeguard our wellbeing whenever stress or anxiety threatens this Christmas…
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
There is little I find more relaxing than listening to (or indeed playing) piano music. It takes my mind off absolutely everything, it’s almost meditative. Recently, I’ve made a concerted effort to ensure ‘downtime’ is an integral part of my daily life. This usually manifests as 30 minutes in the evening with piano music playing in the background. It’s very calming. I avoid regular late evenings so I generally find that I can include this in my daily schedule.
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Becki Murray, Beauty Editor
It’s become a little tradition that I run on Christmas Day morning with my sister – and the energy it gives me to power through the busyness of seeing multiple friend and family groups in 24 hours is second to none. I’m probably not going to break any records – especially after a mulled wine to toast Christmas Eve the night before – but I’ll throw on my trusty Asics Gel-Nimbus trainers, leave my sportswatch at home, and potentially wear some festive accessories to really channel the Christmas spirit. Even a short loop helps to refresh my mind. Committing to my fitness routine throughout the whole festive period also leaves me feeling less lethargic, even after overindulging in my mum’s brilliant cooking!
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Ella Alexander, Fashion Director
I like to give myself 15 minutes every day to read – I’m currently loving Booker Prize winning Orbital, which is so uplifting and thought-provoking. It’s written from the perspective of astronauts in space, so is a useful reminder in seeing the bigger picture! I’m also a big fan of lighting a candle as a mood shift once my toddler has gone to bed – it changes the space mentally for me, and helps me to relax. Currently, I’m enjoying Floragy’s Winter Spice candle, which smells festive without being too on the nose.
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Katie Silcox, Managing Editor
Mine is really simple, yet not always easy – trying to get enough sleep. I used to be great at it, nodding off within minutes and not waking up for at least the next eight hours. More recently, I’ve found that I often struggle to fall asleep and wake up super early (often multiple times throughout the night too). I’m trying to combat this with good sleep hygiene: going to bed at the same time most nights; making sure my bedroom is cool and dark; wearing a sleep mask; using a lavender spray on my pillow; and powering up the Headspace app’s sleep sounds – the sound that works best for me is brown noise.
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Bibiana Obahor, Head of Graphic Design
When the festive season peaks, nothing beats the comfort of a slow evening watching Christmas movies in a cosy pair of PJs. A good pair will wrap you in instant calm – I’m obsessed with the Skims Soft Lounge Pyjama Set. Trust me, it’s worth the hype for those winter wind-down moments. Your winter evenings will never be the same.
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Morag Turner, CF Enfants Editor
December is what I like to call a ‘marathon of fun’. Parties, events, carol concerts, the decorating, the shopping, the wrapping, the driving back and forth to school with the Christmas jumper/violin/teacher’s present you realise you’ve left in the utility room! I love all the fun and having a super busy life, but I’m also – dare I say it – a bit knackered! So by the time it gets to actual Christmas I plan to find a comfy sofa, play board games with my kids, watch festive TV, eat mince pies and generally make merry with family at home in the Highlands. Because sometimes the best thing you can do to feel well and happy is just to slow down a bit, put your feet up, and look around at all you have to be grateful for.
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Sheila Victorio, Head of Food & Drinks Partnerships
Cycling is something I do whenever I need to clear my head throughout the year, but it is especially useful during the festive busyness. I’ll always try and go for a ride along the Lea Valley river for some much needed fresh air, often with my brother in tow. No trip is complete without listening to some joy-inspiring pop music too. Harry Styles or Madonna tunes are always top of my playlist.
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Rachel Story, Style & Commerce Director
Taking the time to get out in the fresh air, preferably where I can see water, is such an easy way for me to instantly de-stress. Luckily, we live right by the River Thames, next to a beautiful pedestrian-only towpath, and being able to go for a scenic walk right on my doorstep is something that I’ll never take for granted. During silly season I also like to try and counteract the overindulging with a supplement that’ll add a dose of greens, immunity and restore balance to my gut. I love this one, it’s expensive but so worth it!
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Lucy Halfhead, Head of Lifestyle Partnerships
When I need to get some peace and quiet – from a lively toddler and all the other family members that descend on the house for Christmas – I head into the bathroom for a long soak in the tub. I try and make the space as spa-like as possible, with soothing classical carol music, a good dollop of Neal’s Yard Remedies Aromatic Foaming Bath with a delicious blend of lavender, Spanish marjoram and geranium, and my favourite Baies candle from Diptyque.
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Ella Mansell, Editorial Assistant
I always turn to Kundalini yoga or meditation to clear any mind fog or low energy I’m feeling. I find a quiet space (with a busy house over Christmas this is often the bathroom!) and tune into a quick 10 or 15 minute online Kundalini session. The practice is a fusion of traditional yoga, breath work and meditation, and always makes a world of difference to my mental health. I also love adding lavender oil to my diffuser for a calming effect – when I am away a few drops of lavender oil on my pillow works just as well. Neom does some beautiful essential oils.
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