Healthy energy through Christmas: the habits that make January easier

By the time January arrives, many people aren’t lacking motivation for the new year ahead, they’re actually lacking energy. December can be very demanding, with later nights, busier schedules, higher alcohol intake, disrupted routines, and more socialising. 

When your energy is constantly drained in December, January becomes more about recovery rather than progress. 

To help you kickstart your 2026 in the most productive and energised way possible, we’ve compiled some of our best tips and tricks for supporting your energy levels in December, so January feels like a smooth transition, not a shock.

Why December drains our energy so quickly

December burnout usually comes from several factors. Busy days and social plans often lead to irregular eating patterns, where meals are delayed or skipped altogether. These long gaps between meals can cause energy dips, irritability, and intense hunger later on, which is often followed by blood sugar spikes and crashes that leave you feeling drained.

With the addition of poor sleep and a change in your normal routines due to late nights, alcohol, travel, and busy schedules, your body has very little time to recover. 

On top of that, the familiar “I’ll sort it in January” mindset can mean putting basic self care on pause entirely, causing our energy levels to dip without us even realising. 

It’s important to remember that this isn’t you failing or letting yourself down, It’s just an inevitable consequence of having a busy month that isn’t supported with intentional, energy protecting habits.

Healthy energy comes from consistency, not control

Healthy energy isn’t built through strict rules or control, especially during a busy month like December. Trying to tightly manage food, routines, or social plans often creates more stress, which can eventually drain your energy just as much as exhaustion itself.

The key is to be consistent with a few simple energy preserving habits rather than striving for a perfect routine. When energy is consistently supported, Christmas burnout is far less likely and January feels like a continuation of these habits, not a drastic change.

Energy supporting habits to carry through December

Because December is a busy month for so many of us and schedules are unpredictable, relying on perfect routines isn’t realistic. Instead, we’ve put together a list of habits that  focus on protecting your energy when you’re busy rather than stopping you from having fun this Christmas season. Here are some of our top tips:

• Eat a balanced meal or snack earlier in the day, especially before social plans, to make sure you’re still getting some key nutrients in to your diet and to prevent energy dips later on

• Avoid long gaps between meals to support steady blood sugar and consistent energy

• Include protein and fibre regularly to help energy last longer and reduce crashes

• Keep quick, nourishing snacks on hand for busy days, travel, or on-the-go

• Stay hydrated throughout the day, especially between coffees and festive drinks

• Choose one non-negotiable habit (like having a balanced breakfast or a mid-morning snack or going for a short walk every morning) to give a sense of stability and routine to your day

Final thoughts

Remember avoiding Christmas burnout isn’t about doing less, it’s about supporting your energy better. The habits you practise in December determine how January feels.

And because December is so unpredictable, it makes it the perfect testing ground for these energy preserving habits. If they support your energy during the busiest month of the year, it’s likely they will support you year round.

Support your energy now, and your January might just feel a whole lot more energised.