ASSISTANT Head of Health Vanessa Chalmers shares the best festive fixers – from hangover cures and sleep saviours, to gut health must-haves and skin remedies.
Do you hear those sleigh bells jingling? It’s just over six weeks to Christmas – cue everyone and their dog coming out of the woodwork wanting to “get together” simply because the fairy lights are on.
Well, if we can’t let our hair down at this time of year, when can we?
If we didn’t have jobs, homes and families to manage, the festive season and its accompanying late nights, indulgences and stress wouldn’t take such a toll.
But we do, and it can wreak havoc on our wellbeing, waistline, and more.
Whatever your concern, here’s how to stay physically and emotionally prepped, so you feel joyful, not drained, this party season.
Sink the pre-drink
TRY: PrePear Korean Pear Hangover Juice, £16 for six
Prime the body for fizz with pear juice from Korea, where it’s a pre-party ritual.
One study showed drinkers downing pear juice before alcohol had up to 21% fewer hangover symptoms.*
It’s thought the dihydromyricetin (DMH) compound boosts the activity of two key enzymes responsible for breaking down alcohol.
It’s a natural way to save the next day.
Get a glow-up
TRY: Nourished Skin+ Glow Nutrient Stacks Gummies, £19.99 for 30
The mince pies, cold weather and lack of sleep may see your “glow” take a hit.
These gummies are made with seven layers, each offering a different vitamin.
This means you don’t need to splash out on multiple supps, and they’re great for on the go.
You can create your stack online and personalise it to your needs, or buy pre-made skin and hair stacks.
Rehydrate, rehydrate!
TRY: Selfish Supps Hydrate Me Pink Lemonade, £29 for 300g
Why sip water, when you can sip electrolytes?
While they are mainly used as a sports recovery drink, they’ve quickly become a go-to hangover cure.
Alcohol causes fluid loss, which also means a depletion of essential electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, which is why you might crave rich, salty foods like a fry-up.
Instead, reach for a drink packed with electrolytes.
Find a happy high
TRY: Happy Tuesdays Post-Rave Wellness Pack, £38.99 for six
Save these raver-certified pouches to prevent a crash after a big weekend.
Each contains five capsules taken before you head out, covering 26 nutrients.
The design aims to keep the nervous system calm, replenish brain chemicals like serotonin, and support sleep.
Take a shot
TRY: Vadasz Kimchi Shot, £2
Oh, how the gut suffers in December.
There are zero Christmas rituals that feed the “good” bacteria we need in order to be in optimal health. Kimchi is one of the richest sources of probiotics.
The fermented cabbage can be added to any dish – but it’s even easier to take as a shot, such as this new launch from Vadasz, which may ease a hangover by boosting B vitamins.
D-fend your body
TRY: BetterYou Vitamin D3000+K2 Oral Spray, £10.99
Christmas parties (and the hangovers that follow) are spent in dark rooms – but we need the sunshine (well, vitamin D) to stay well.
Our skin converts sunshine into vitamin D3, which helps the body to absorb calcium – vital for keeping bones and teeth healthy.
Vitamin D can also contribute to the healthy functioning of the immune system.
The NHS recommends everyone takes at least 10mg of vitamin D each day over winter – and BetterYou’s oral spray has 75mg, rapidly delivered to the bloodstream via the mouth.
The addition of K2 ensures calcium gets to where it’s needed in the body.
Focus with fungi
TRY: Dirtea Mushroom Coffee Sachets, £12.99 for seven
You’re lacking focus at work and need a pick-me-up, but your body is begging you to ease up on the caffeine – sound familiar?
Dirtea’s Mushroom Coffee has up to 80% less caffeine than your regular brew, instead powered by B vitamins and lion’s mane – a mushroom that could help with focus, as well as support cognitive function and peak mental performance.
Though the scientific evidence is still in its infancy, growing numbers of wellness fans swear by our fungal friends – we’ll let you be the judge.
Send yourself to sleep
TRY: Tisserand Sleep Better range, including Bath Oil, £14, Pillow Mist, £13, and Pulse Point Roller Ball, £9.50
With late nights powered by eggnog, you’re going to rack up some sleep debt.
Struggling to drift off with an out-of-whack body clock?
Make the bedroom as inviting as possible with blackout curtains, a cool temperature (avoid having the heating on high) and some calming aromas – such as lavender, sandalwood and jasmine.
Aaand relax. . .
