How to Feel Better in January: Why “December Doesn’t Count” Always Catches Up With You

Ciara Ryan
19 minutes ago
6 min read

A winter sunrise shining through a window with soft condensation on the glass, creating a warm, calm start-of-day atmosphere.

Every year, December hits and our routines fly out the window. Between nights out, school concerts, office tins of Roses, and the general chaos that comes with an Irish winter, it’s no wonder our eating, sleeping, and energy feel a bit… off.

This blog explores why the “sure it’s Christmas, it doesn’t count” mindset makes January harder than it needs to be — and how a few small rhythms can steady your energy, your digestion, and your mood during the busiest month of the year.

The December Story We All Know Too Well

There’s something about December in Ireland that makes everything feel a bit scattered.

One minute you’re grand, enjoying porridge before the school run, and the next minute there are tins of Roses everywhere you look, the biscuits from the office party have followed you home, and you can’t remember the last time you drank a glass of water that wasn’t pretending to be tea.

It’s also the month where the mental load doubles: lists, events, sorting the kids, trying to keep the house semi-sane. And in all of that, food becomes the easiest thing to let slide.

By St Stephen’s Day, most of us have lost all sense of time, we’re in the habit of nibbling and snacking liberally before lunch, and our bedtime routine has packed up and gone to the North Pole with Santa and the elves.

And every year, we reassure ourselves with the same line:

“Ah sure, it’s Christmas. December doesn’t count. I’ll sort myself out in January.”

A hand reaching into a tin of festive biscuits, showing how easy it is to fall into December grazing and mindless snacking. — That ‘just one’ mindset hits hardest in December.: Image source: Canva

Why December Affects You More Than You Think

The problem isn’t December — it’s the story we tell ourselves about December.

Writing it off sounds harmless. It even feels practical in the moment.

But in fact, it’s costing you more than you realise.

“December doesn’t count” isn’t a seasonal mindset. It’s the same pattern that’s been frustrating you all year, the familiar loop of “I’ll start again soon” that leaves you stuck between good intentions and feeling fed-up.

It’s the all-or-nothing thinking that leaves you:

craving sugar all day
feeling bloated and sluggish
running on naps and caffeine
and landing into January mentally and physically drained

Even a few days of irregular eating and disrupted sleep can throw off your gut, your hormones, your mood, and your energy. And because December is rarely “just a few days”, the effects stack up — fast.

Think back to last January. What would you have given to wake up feeling rested instead of wiped? To have even a bit more energy? To start the year from your usual baseline instead of feeling like you were undoing a month of chaos?

If you want to feel better in January, the steadier you keep your rhythms in December, the easier everything becomes.

December does count. Not in a strict or “you should be good” way, but in the simple sense that your body doesn’t press pause just because it’s Christmas.

Your energy, digestion, sleep, cravings, and mood don’t reset just because the calendar does. They carry straight into January with you.

This isn’t about restriction. It’s about recognising what the chaos of December does to your body and how a handful of small steadying habits can make the month feel kinder.

A warm cup of tea on a wooden table in soft morning light, symbolising a calmer, more rested start to January. — Imagine starting January feeling rested, not wiped. Image source: Canva

The Small Rhythms That Make December (and January) Easier

When you zoom out, it’s not the big things that help most in December. It’s the handful of small rhythms that steady your body in the background.

These rhythms don’t take away from the food, the fun, or the cosy nights in.They sit quietly alongside everything else, helping you enjoy December without crawling into January on your last nerve.

Rhythm 1 — Eat Regularly Enough to Feel Human

December is the month where many people graze constantly and eat fewer actual meals.That’s the perfect recipe for blood sugar swings, cravings, poor digestion, and exhaustion.

A few ways to steady things

Start with a grounding breakfast

Something with protein and fibre helps stabilise energy, mood, and appetite for the day ahead. (Think oats, yoghurt, nuts, eggs. Simple is perfect.)

Festive breakfast idea

If you’re already feeling the pull towards grazing, a decent breakfast can anchor you for the day. One I often recommend is a simple festive wrap: scrambled eggs or leftover turkey, quick sautéed veggies, and a little avocado or goat’s cheese. Add a hint of rosemary or a few leftover cranberries if you want a seasonal twist. It’s cosy, filling, and far steadier on your energy than picking at the Roses tin at 10am.

Have three real meals, even on busy days

Instead of picking at sausage rolls, popping the Pringles every time you walk into the kitchen, and “just one more chocolate”, give your body actual food. Meals support digestion. Grazing doesn’t.

Sip water the way you sip tea

Hydration drops massively in winter. A glass of water between teas and coffees helps digestion, sleep, skin, and energy more than most people realise.

If you want more December-friendly breakfasts and easy meals, there are several inside the Indulge Without the Bulge guide in the Resource Library. Join here for free.

A close-up of a warm breakfast wrap filled with eggs and vegetables, an example of a grounding, protein-rich start to the day. — A simple breakfast that keeps you steady all day. Image source: Canva

Rhythm 2 — Move a Little (It Matters More Than You Think)

Movement in December doesn’t need to look like workouts or gym classes.

A simple walk — even ten minutes — can:

reduce bloating
support digestion
lower stress
help regulate appetite
improve sleep

A short walk after a bigger meal is one of the most effective things you can do for your gut and blood sugar.

And yes, even in the Irish rain. Wrap up, pop on a podcast, and you’re sorted.

A person walking a dog on a frosty Irish winter path, illustrating the simple reset of stepping outside for a ten-minute walk. — When in doubt, reset with a short walk, it always helps. Image source: Canva

Rhythm 3 — Protect the Edges of Your Day

When the middle of the day is hectic, focus on the edges:

a morning routine that feels grounding
a predictable-ish bedtime
winding down without screens when you can

You don’t need a flawless sleep routine. You just need enough consistency that your body isn’t trying to reset itself every night.

Even small improvements to sleep have a big impact on cravings, digestion, mood, and hormones.

None of this is about getting everything right — it’s about feeling more like yourself during a month that pulls you in every direction.

What To Do If You Go Off Track (And You Will)

Wobbles are part of December. There’s no need for guilt or overcorrection.

When you feel like things have slipped:

Start with your next meal.
Go for a ten-minute walk.
Drink a large glass of water.
Go to bed at a reasonable hour.

That’s it.Back to your small rhythms.Your body will thank you for the simplicity.

Helpful Recipes & Resources for a Steadier December

If you’d like support with simple, grounding meals that fit into a busy December, you’ll find them in the Indulge Without the Bulge guide inside the Resource Library.

A few favourites to look out for:

easy breakfast bowls
festive, gut-friendly soups
lighter dinners for the days between big meals

They’re quick, comforting, and designed to keep you steady — not perfect.