The end-of-year celebrations are undeniably moments of sharing and magic. Nevertheless, these festivities can greatly increase your mental load. These times are often associated with extensive preparations, head-scratching to find the perfect gift, and unusual food and alcohol consumption. Overall, there is a lot of accumulated fatigue for the body and the mind.

What if we took the opposite course this year and took advantage of the end-of-year celebrations to relax and recharge our batteries with the family?

Here are some tips for making December a serene month full of well-being.

1. Simplify your life with gifts

Whether you have a large family or particularly demanding relatives, it can be complicated to delight everyone with a gift while respecting your budget. Christmas remains a celebration of sharing: happiness lies in being able to all come together at this time of the year. Let us not fail to remind our loved ones of this simple happiness. This is even more true since the previous years have been marked by a certain degree of isolation and restrictions.

When it comes to wrapping, forget about wrapping paper, which has a very limited lifespan. It’s time to opt for reusable packaging such as pouches or totes. The most creative can opt for the Furoshiki, a gift-wrapping technique straight from Japan that consists of wrapping a gift in a nicely tied piece of fabric.

2. Be mindful of your emotions 

The end-of-year celebrations can quickly lead to a nervous breakdown. Between gift hunting, Christmas shopping, and New Year’s Eve planning, tension can quickly build and lead to headaches, for example. To take a break from this whirlwind, consider essential oils, a natural and effective way to ease tension and help reduce stress.

  • Eucalyptus essential oil is traditionally used to limit tension.

  • Peppermint and Eucalyptus essential oils bring a feeling of freshness, which helps relieve tension and localised pain, such as headaches related to overworking or stress levels that are too high.

  • The scents of Lavender and Damask Rose essential oils are known for their relaxing effects, helping to reduce stress.

Roll-on formats that combine several essential oils are not only more effective thanks to their synergy of the active ingredients, but they are also very practical to use at any time of day. They can be applied locally, directly on the temples, forehead, eyebrows, and neck.

Moreover, with December comes a general drop in daylight and longer nights (21 December is the longest night of the year). For people who experience difficulty sleeping, this can seriously disrupt the biological balance and generate new difficulties in falling asleep.

However, there are natural solutions to help you fall asleep faster and avoid nocturnal awakenings.

  • Gentle Orange, Lavender, Petitgrain, Marjoram, and Roman Chamomile essential oils are known for their relaxing and soothing effects.

Whether used individually or in synergy to multiply their effects, these oils contribute to better sleep quality and help you fall asleep faster.

  • Melatonin, also called the sleep hormone, is naturally produced by the body. It is secreted during the night, with a peak around 3 a.m. Melatonin regulates day-night rhythm and signals to the body that it is the right time to sleep.

Nevertheless, the physiological secretion of melatonin decreases with age and can be disrupted at certain times of the year (jet lag, physiological imbalance, stress, etc.). There are natural health products to supplement melatonin and restore this physiological balance necessary to decrease how long it takes you to fall asleep.

Therefore, you should choose a formula containing 1 mg of Melatonin daily. For better effectiveness, some formulas combine Melatonin with a synergy of plant extracts that promote sleep, such as Lemon Balm or Orange Blossom.

3. Boost your immunity

There is still time to boost immunity for those who see germs and various epidemics crop up at the same time that chocolates and biscuits arrive on their table.

Certain natural active ingredients such as Echinacea, Propolis or even Royal Jelly are renowned for their beneficial effects on the immune system. Vitamins C and D also support the immune system.

  • Vitamin D is the only vitamin that the body can synthesise.

However, more than six out of ten French people are deficient. Since Vitamin D participates in bone growth and health, it also plays an essential role in natural defences. This vitamin contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system.

  • Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight oxidative stress, reduce fatigue, and boost the immune system. It is found in many fruits and vegetables, including Acerola. This small fruit from South America contains 30 times more Vitamin C than an orange. Ideal for efficiently and quickly refuelling.
For those who feel a slump a few days before the holidays, supplementation is essential to boost immunity and tone. Based on individual needs, either Vitamin C or Vitamin D supplements alone provide targeted action. Or, a natural health product can be combined with several vitamins and minerals, extracts, plants, and active ingredients such as Royal Jelly and Propolis for more global action.

4. On the menu: veggies and simplicity

We tend to do a lot with holiday menus, even too much. But, in reality, no one is hungry for the rest of the meal after appetiser and starter. Suppose we take a sober look at it. What if, this year, we chose to have fun while lightening our festive menu and adding veggies? Small cups of crudités as appetizer, soup as starter, and pan-fried vegetables to accompany the dish. And for dessert, why not trade in the chestnut log for delicious fruit?

Here are alternatives rich in vitamins and minerals to lighten your tables without cutting back on flavour.

These December and New Year’s Eve tips will help keep you in great shape to enjoy spending time with your loved ones peacefully. INELDEA Laboratories wishes you a happy holiday season.