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Candles and comfort. Taking time and planning well. Good Housekeeping’s Senior Beauty Editor Lynne Hyland shares her tips for a calm take on the party season.
Why is it so important to find time to relax at Christmas?
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… but also the most testing. With so many potential flashpoints: finances, family dynamics, socialising, pressure to deliver the ‘perfect’ Christmas – there’s a real risk of burning out before the big day has even arrived. As Alice Law, podcaster and author of Unstressable tells me: “If you don’t make space for yourself, you can easily reach your stress threshold and go into Christmas struggling to enjoy it.” And what would be the point of that?
How can you make space and time for yourself at this time of year?
Be mindful about what you’re letting into your life this time of year. Being busy has become a status symbol that makes us feel wanted, yet it piles on stress, notes Law. Before adding anything to the schedule, ask if it’s something you really want or need to do. Let go of the guilt and stop doing things just for the sake of it. And proper planning is invaluable. Leaving things to the last minute isn’t productive or healthy – it only creates space to worry about what still needs doing. I make lists and buy early; tick everything off as I go. I break big tasks into smaller ones, so there’s more time to relax and be in the moment. For instance, instead of wrestling Sellotape at 2am on Christmas Eve, I’ll wrap as I buy, just leaving the stockings to do on the night. All the festive feeling, with none of the panic.
And how can we carry that into 2025, for a positive approach to the new year?
Start building mini-moments of me-time into your routine – for life, not just for Christmas. Instead of picking up your phone first thing and diving straight into ‘reaction mode’, take a moment to set a positive intention for the day, suggests Law. “Ask, ‘What version of myself do I need to show up as today?’” Then build in practices that help this calmer you to flourish. Set gentle phone notifications, reminding you to take five minutes: check in with your intention, jot down a thought of gratitude, or simply stretch and breathe deeply to break the physical stress cycle. All these little ‘snacks’ of self-care add up to happier you.
What are your tips for creating a spa in our own bathrooms?
A home spa means creating the right physical and mental space. There’s a reason why spas are minimalistic; a clean, clutter-free room immediately quietens mental chatter. I feel calmer when I’ve organised my products into glass jars and neutral storage baskets (the Nested Seagrass Baskets go with everything). I’m a great believer in scent-scaping a home spa, using a calming candle such as Spa Unwind to set the mood. I’ll add soothing aromatherapy oils to a bath, allowing time for the fragrances to infuse so I can fully appreciate them when I slide in. Visualisations also make me-time more mindful. I like to imagine stress draining away into the water with every exhalation.
And how do you hold onto that post-treatment feeling?
Comfort is key. There’s no point relaxing your muscles with a therapeutic soak only to tense up when you emerge. I’ll always have a warm towel, plus cosy slippers and a dressing gown to create a self-care cocoon. There’s science behind the snuggle, too. It works with the natural night-time fall in body temperature which eases you into sleep. I like wearing silk pyjamas to avoid overheating, plus a matching eye mask to block sleep-disrupting light, and cashmere bed socks so I’m not woken up by chilly feet.
What fragrances are particularly good for relaxing?
Scent is our most primal sense, wired straight into our mind, memories and mood, which is why it’s so wonderfully evocative. Lavender, neroli, ylang-ylang, geranium, eucalyptus, mint and citrus are all classic ‘spa’ notes, so it’s likely you’ll instinctively associate them with relaxation. (Smell Spa Restore Luxury Bath Oil and you’ll understand.) Be led by your nose and sniff out anything that sparks joy for you.
What types of beauty products are essential for relaxing and making us feel our best?
For me, nothing beats a good ‘everything bath’ to close your day. Claim the space for at least half an hour, luxuriate in a skin-smoothing bath oil and massage in a hair treatment (use the Organic Cotton Hair Wrap to help it absorb while you soak). Use a rich moisturiser from top to toe once you’re done: Spa Escape Body Cream will spark holiday memories even in midwinter. Then, consciously linger over your evening regime, using a gua-sha traditional Chinese massage tool to ease any stress you’re holding in your jaw.
Is relaxation time a family pastime?
I think ‘us-time’ can be as therapeutic as ‘me-time’, but it needs planning to ensure it’s enjoyable, rather than another source of Christmas stress. The trick is to find something that everyone is on-board with. For my family, that might be festive baking, illuminated walks (seeing a stately home lit up never fails to uplift) or just a classic movie, plus a takeout for a night off cooking. A mum-and-daughter pamper evening is always a winner in our house, too – it’s even cuter with matching mini-me Snuggle Blanket Hoodies!
Could you give us a trick for full body relaxation?
I recently went on a burn-out retreat which taught me about controlling stress through breathing. Now, whenever I’m woken at 3am by a racing brain, I practise a ‘box breathing’ technique which flips the nervous system into rest and reset mode. It all works on a count of four: inhale, hold, exhale, hold and repeat. At the same time, I mentally draw a square – one side for each step – and before long, I’m asleep again.
Thinking about relaxation holistically, what else can we do over Christmas to keep feeling our best?
Food and mood are closely intertwined and, sadly, many Christmas treats, from sugar to alcohol, can sap our spirits by disrupting blood-sugar and stress-hormone levels. Nobody is suggesting you deprive yourself, but do try to compensate for festive indulgences, instead of writing off the whole season! Have regular healthy snacks and prioritise whole foods: berries, leafy greens, eggs, nuts, seeds, salmon, and avocado have all been shown to have mood-boosting effects. There’s so much evidence now on the gut/brain link, so also up your intake of fermented foods and fibre. Having a five-minute walk after a meal helps stabilise your blood sugar, which has real benefits for your energy levels.
Lynne Hyland is Senior Beauty Editor at “Good Housekeeping”.
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