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.

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.

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.

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!

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”.