Updated for December 2025
As part of the continued relaunch of Woman on a Mission, I’m refreshing some of my most-loved wellbeing posts; updated, re-edited and more relevant than ever. With the festive season now in full swing, it’s easy for your stress bucket to fill faster than you realise. So this feels like the perfect moment to pause, check in with yourself and gently reset. How full is your self-love bucket today?
Over on Instagram recently, I’ve been talking about the power of removing things from your plate before adding new commitments, whether that’s a festive to-do, a work project or the emotional load that comes with this time of year. Before we rush towards the magical Christmas Day and New Year, let’s pause. Let’s gently rebalance, reset and make space for ourselves.
Why Stress Buckets Overflow
Right now, many of us are navigating work, home life, caring responsibilities and the uncertainty that real life so often brings. This constant juggling slowly fills our stress buckets. Not just for us, but for our children and families too.
One analogy I love (and always come back to) is this:
“Being in front of screens all day is like attending back-to-back meetings with 30 people each. You’re expected to absorb everything, act on it, remember it, and then head straight to the next meeting.”
No wonder we feel overwhelmed.
The good news? We can empty the stress bucket and refill our self-love bucket through tiny, consistent lifestyle choices and intentional pauses throughout the day.
Nutrition & Lifestyle: The Foundations of a Calmer Mind
What you eat, drink, and do daily has a huge impact on your mood, focus and resilience. Comfort foods, sugar and wine may feel like a quick fix (especially in December! but they often leave you feeling foggy, sluggish and more stressed.
Here are my simple, friendly wellbeing tools:
- Think Before You Sip
Caffeine feels like energy… until the crash. Coffee, teas, and energy drinks can spike stress levels and disrupt sleep. - Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Your brain loves water. Herbal teas count too. Staying hydrated boots concentration, supports digestion and help your mind stay clear. - Eat Like Your Brain Depends on It
Because it does. Quick snacks and takeaways are tempting during busy weeks, but nourishing meals give you sustained energy, balanced blood sugar and clearer focus.
(You’ll find lots of easy, delicious recipes here on the blog.)
- Treat Sleep as Non-Negotiable
Yes, “just one more episode” is tempting, especially with festive films on overnight but your brain and body need 7–8 hours of true rest. Better sleep means better mood, focus and resilience. - Move Your Body Daily
A brisk walk, a stretch, 20 minutes of fresh air; all of it counts. Movement reduces tension, lifts your mood, and helps you think more clearly. - Track Your Habits
I’ve created a Consistency Tracker to help you spot the tiny lifestyle shifts that make a big difference. Sleep, hydration, movement, mental load. Track them for four weeks and notice the ripple effect.
And above all:
Be kind to yourself. You’re doing better than you think.
“I’m presently experiencing life at a rate of several WTF’s per hour!”
Unknown
I saw this quote and it made me laugh out loud.. Don’t underestimate the power of a good laugh, even in stressful times.
Tracking Your Stress
Small lifestyle changes often go unnoticed until you track them. Maybe you’re going to bed a little later, drinking more coffee instead of water or waking up in the middle of the night thinking about your to-do list.
These tiny shifts accumulate, quietly filling your stress bucket.
Try tracking your habits for four weeks using my Consistency Tracker and see what patterns appear. You’ll find more free planners here.
Remember: progress over perfection, always.
Small Daily Actions Make a Big Difference
Here are some tiny, doable actions that instantly lighten the load:
- Declutter one drawer, shelf or corner.
- Clear digital clutter: delete old emails, organise your desktop, unfollow accounts that drain you.
- Pause for 5–10 minutes midday. Breathe. Stretch. Reset.
- Each small action empties your stress bucket and refills your self-love bucket.
Breathe, Reset and Reconnect
Sometimes the simplest way to reset is to pause and breathe. Even five minutes each day to check in with yourself : a short walk, a few deep breaths or a quiet cup of tea, can help you reset before diving back into the festive chaos.
Lately, I’ve been loving the Winter Reset breathwork series with Stuart Sandeman. If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know I first discovered Stuart’s work during the pandemic and have been a fan ever since.
Stuart is a globally recognised breathing expert and performance coach, Sunday Times best-selling author of Breathe In Breathe Out, host of BBC Radio 1’s Decompression Session and founder of Breathpod, where he helps people reach their full potential through the power of breathwork and music.
The Winter Reset sessions are free, live at 6:30am GMT every weekday and open to everyone. They’re a wonderful way to slow the pace, clear out mental clutter, and avoid getting swept up in the end-of-year madness. Don’t worry if 6:30am isn’t possible, you’ll receive the download to listen anytime.
Trust me, they’re amazing. Register here for the Winter Reset
Your Next Step
If you’d like more tips on reducing stress, simplifying your home and creating space to breathe, you can subscribe to Woman on a Mission or join me on Instagram for weekly inspiration and encouragement.
Feeling inspired to take charge of your stress levels and refill that self-love bucket?
Try the tips in this blog, download the Consistency Tracker, and let me know in the comments how you’re getting on.
Here’s to calmer days, clearer minds, and a beautifully balanced December.
Love
I think the being kind to yourself is absolutely vital. I always try to avoid putting myself under unnecessary stress. We can only do the best we can, and that’s always good enough. Great blog xx
Thank you Karen for your kind words. We can indeed only do the best we can. We are in strange times when everyone is going through similar stresses, which is most unusual. I hope you are well. Take good care x x
Such a great blog Claire, as of tonight I’m going to bed earlier. I like to read but I was going to bed late then reading for ages ! I’ve known its not good for me but I still did it anyway. My quality of sleep has been poor. Thank you for highlighting That’s step one for me. Thank you ! Xxx
Thank you Helen, so kind of you to take the time to comment. I found over December and Christmas, I was going to bed later and later and yet still waking early.. It wasn’t good for me, I feel much more awake and productive! So easy for the habits to slip back isn’t it? Do let me know how you get on x x