Are You Ready For Christmas?

Are You Ready for Christmas?

This time of year, the most asked question seems to be, “Are you ready for Christmas?” It can easily send some of us into a panic, including me. Christmas for me is the ultimate family dinner. I love to gather with family and friends, share nourishing food, and create special moments together. I love to cook, but I can also feel a little pressure to create the perfect healthy “Real Food” menu, using the best sourced ingredients, that everyone will love.

The holiday period can also create a little more time to pause, reflect and reset intentions. This can be an opportunity to check in with ourselves and create space to refocus on what we value most.

For me, this includes reconnecting with my foundations of health - movement, nutrition, sleep, managing stress, human connection, and time in nature and in tune with nature. These are the simple yet powerful pillars that help me feel grounded and healthy. They anchor me to the kind of life I want to live.

So this year, I have written myself a few reminders. I hope they might help you too.

My Top Ten Christmas Tips

1. Mindfulness

It is easy to get caught up in the busyness of Christmas preparations. Take moments to pause, breathe, be aware of your choices and remind yourself what Christmas truly means to you. Presence is one of the most powerful ways we can give to ourselves and others.

2. Time for Self

Planning, shopping, preparing and serving food for others is an act of service, but caring for yourself matters too. When you fill your own cup first, you show up in a way that reflects who you want to be. It may be as simple as a short walk, a morning meditation, journal or relaxing bath. For someone who has early mornings, this may also be the time to give yourself permission for earlier nights or slower mornings.

3. Prepare and Share the Load

Take a little time to plan, write a menu, order a few things ahead of time, and share the cooking with others. It lightens the load and allows you to enjoy the day more fully. It also gives others an opportunity to feel involved.

4. Choose Real Food Where Possible

Whether preparing food for others or eating out, begin by filling your plate with real food first. There is usually an abundance of healthy meats and salads to choose from. I love to take a plate if I am visiting others. It helps ease their load and gives me at least one great option. If we stay connected to how we want to feel, the decisions around food become easier.

5. Enjoy the Process

If you are spending hours in the kitchen, try to enjoy it, embrace it and give it love. Turn on music, listen to a podcast, or invite someone to cook with you. These small rituals can bring a sense of purpose, connection and fun to even the simple tasks.

6. Remember What Matters

The most important part of the day is being together. Take a moment before everyone arrives to remind yourself to enjoy these moments. A late meal or small mishap will not be remembered, but the feeling of connection will.

7. Be Conscious of Alcohol

This has been a gradual change for me, being part of an Italian family who loves their wine. I now choose to feel my best and be present with myself and others. I remind myself how I want to feel the next day. For me this means keeping alcohol to a minimum.

8. Stay Hydrated

Water is your best friend. Drink plenty of it, especially if you are having alcohol.

9. Embrace the Mess and Imperfections

This is my favourite reminder to self. Not everything needs to be perfect. Some of the best memories are made in the mess.

10. Tomorrow is a New Day

What you ate or did yesterday no longer matters. What matters is what you do next. Every meal is a new opportunity to nourish yourself and reset.

Movement in the Holidays

If we are heading away for a holiday or to visit family and friends, we may not have access to our usual gym or training routine. A week off training is not going to undo all your hard work. Your muscle mass and strength are far more resilient than you think. Rest is part of the process, not a setback.

What matters is not dropping off the cliff altogether. Find simple ways to move, to breathe, to stay in touch with your body. Walks, stretching, a swim, or any gentle movement that feels good. You are not aiming for perfection. You are simply staying connected to the version of yourself you want to be. “And you can handstand anywhere!”

A Gentle Reminder

I find it helpful to remember the advice of James Clear - that small choices truly do compound. Over Christmas, it is never about doing everything perfectly. It is the small, steady decisions that keep us feeling good:

• A short walk or swim
• Some daily movement
• A little time in nature
• Choosing protein at the next meal
• Drinking water before another drink
• Five slow breaths before the day begins
• A mindful moment – meditation, journaling, or simply listening to the sounds around you

These tiny actions matter far more than any one big meal or missed workout.
Every small action is a quiet vote for the person you want to be. Even during the holidays, these little votes still count.

Reflection for the Season

As I reflect on the year, I am reminded of how often the simple things bring me back to what matters most. Seeing the early morning sunrise, bare feet on grass, preparing real food, a walk in the forest, the rhythm of my training, and the quiet rituals that anchor my day. These moments always remind me that health is not something we achieve and tick off. It is something we live, gently and consistently, with care and kindness for ourselves.

Wishing you a joyful and nourishing Christmas, filled with good food, laughter, and meaningful connection with the people you share it with.

Merry Christmas 🎄