Loving the skin your in this silly season…

That time of year is well and truly upon us, the party season, the period of many catch ups to celebrate the end of one year's tribulations, celebrations and the significance of all that is possible for the next.

We tend to overindulge in everything at this time of year food, drink, sweet treats, late nights, catch ups, parties, sun exposure and it can be easy to let good habits fall to the way side like good hydration, nutrition, sleep habits and self care. A few helpful hints to keep your skin glowing at this hectic time of year.

H2O, prepared cashflow, the gift list, meal prep, monthly planner, SPF+…

H2O is so important year around. But never more so than the Christmas/ New year break. It is a time of extreme's. Extreme heat (hot weather and aircon in sunny Queensland and blustering cold and heating in those cold climates. This can really dry and dehydrate the body and especially the skin, as we move between extreme indoor vs outdoor climates. This can change the oil flow of skin and lead to everything from flaking to congestion. Water ensures our cells are in the optimal environment for healthy function, that we are eliminating body waste in a frequent healthy manner! Let's not forget the importance of rehydration after too many espresso martinis or various other dehydrating cocktail or coffee catch ups you might be enjoying more frequently. Also adding in a pinch of Celtic Sea Salt really improves hydration uptake by the body and adding some fruit can make it fun and flavoursome.

Cash is king baby! Ok so probably not since COVID sent us cashless, but a budget set up each year just for Christmas is probably a genius idea!

First decide who you will be buying for.

The Gift List (write a naughty and nice list perhaps) and set yourself a budget for gifts, events, cabs/Ubers, those extra end of year lunch dates and throw in your New Years Eve budget while you're at it. Divide the amount you will need by the number of weeks you need to save it and allocate that much into a separate savings account each week. Only dip into that account if you are purchasing Christmas gifts on sale throughout the year! (another great way to save some $$$) My favourite idea that I will be suggesting to everyone this year is to buy your gifts locally at your small business to support your local economy. Buy a gift voucher or book, a Christmas catchup date with your girls at your local salon/spa or forgo the gift to go on an extra boujie night out or activity you would all love instead! If COVID has taught us anything it is to never take the moments we get together for granted. Enjoy them to the fullest! Planning your Christmas finances will mean less stress, anxiety and depression throughout this period as well as the New Year when the credit card bill arrives!

Meal Prepping really is a year around investment into your health and fueling your body well Plus the cash savings). However, during the party season, everything is a little faster paced and it can be a little too easy to fall off the wagon of healthy eating, after all we can always start again on Monday or January right! Yes you can, but by then how will your skin be feeling, will you be struggling with brain fog, will you feel a little more emotionally imbalanced, or frustrated by the too many Christmas kilos you acquired? The answer is most likely. It's fine to enjoy the indulgence of this time but don't allow your normal routines to fall completely to the wayside.

Plan your month in advance... Put in all the events that are your non negotiables, schedule in your work, family time, exercise, events and then you will know what is available (or not) for those impromptu catch ups. For some reason everyone feels compelled to catch you up before Christmas, it kind of baffles me but it's definitely a thing. Keep in mind you can always have catchups through the week and enjoy a breakfast or lunch date with a friend. I have a beautiful friend Jamie, we always struggled to catch up as much as we wanted to, so we became the Queens of the breakfast date. She would tee it up for when she was in my area (she was a rep) she would grab fresh baked goods on the way and I would have a cooked breakfast and coffee ready for her arrival. It was a great start to our day in every way. Also don't be afraid to say 'No!' 'Sorry I am booked up until January can we lock it in for then?' You need to avoid burnout and trying to please everyone is the fastest way to burn out and break out!

SPF+ is not just you cream or lotion it is a whole preparation to keep on hand for those days out a light long sleeved shirt with a collar, a sun umbrella or pop up shade tent and a wide brimmed hat the bigger the better. Nothing is going to kill that Christmas buzz like too much sun, and I can assure you you're never going to look fabulous with peeling skin at that Christmas party! (not to mention pigmentation and sun damage)

So... Apply and re- apply the spf+ and be sun smart weather you're at the beach, the park, lazing by the pool, out for a walk/run or strolling around the markets protect yourself from sun damage!