The holidays can leave anyone feeling drained. You might be skipping workouts, eating differently, or feeling like your routines have disappeared. But waiting until January to “start fresh” usually just makes everything harder.
December is actually the perfect month to invest in your health, not with extreme changes, but with small habits that bring your energy back, clear your mind, and support your mood. Think of it as preparing your life so you can show up better in 2026. It’s not about taking things away. It’s about strengthening what matters.
Instead of seeing December as a month you simply “get through,” try approaching it like this:
- Create a little more breathing room in your day
- Let go of habits or pressure that drain you
- Add small practices that make you feel good inside and out
It’s about investing in yourself, not punishing yourself.
Small, Real Steps That Stick
Investing in your health doesn’t happen overnight, and giant resolutions usually fail without a plan. Instead, focus on one small habit at a time, like a night routine, a mini workout, a decluttering project, or a screen-time boundary. Small, consistent steps add up.
Start With Your Night: Your Morning Starts the Night Before
Your “good morning” begins the night before. How you wind down sets the tone for how you feel, move, and think the next day. Prioritize real sleep, not just lying in bed. Plan parts of your day ahead, like laying out your outfit, preparing breakfast or lunch, or setting your to-dos. Keep your bedroom calm and free of clutter so it’s easy to relax. And try no screen time. We all know too well that late-night scrolling tricks your brain into staying “on” and steals energy you’ll need in the morning.
Build Simple Daily Rituals
You don’t need an “aesthetic morning routine”, just habits that set you up for success and actually work. Because, let’s be honest, if they’re overly complicated, it’s unlikely you’ll want to keep doing them every day.
Try adding one of these simpler options:
- 2 minutes of slow breathing
- A cup of warm lemon water
- 10 minutes of stretching
- Take a 5-minute desk break to walk or do calf raises.
- One page of journaling
A consistent and simple routine will win over a complex one every time.
Invest in Your Mind and Perspective
That simple morning routine of journaling can help change your perspective. Journaling and vision boards aren’t just “cute habits.” They actually train your brain to focus on the positives and visualize the life you want.
A vision board helps you picture the life and goals you’re aiming for. Even small habits like writing that it was a beautiful day, or answering a simple prompt like:
- “What made you smile today?”
- “What drained you this week and why?”
- “What would your life look like with 1% more effort?”
These can all shift your perspective and build up more positive energy for the rest of your day ahead.
Declutter Your Space
A crowded closet or messy room isn’t just annoying; it creates mental noise. Ask yourself if you wear or need each item. If not, consider moving it out of your immediate space, even just boxing it up for now. This frees up mental space without forcing you to make permanent decisions.
Decluttering isn’t just about removing things; it’s also about creating a room that feels like a sanctuary. Silk pillowcases, blackout curtains, a diffuser with calming scents, and an air purifier can transform your space into a calm environment that promotes better sleep and overall well-being.
Set Yourself Up to Feel Better
Small self-care actions, can make a huge impact on how you feel for the rest of the day.
Putting on a cute workout set instantly boosts my motivation to work out. And doing my makeup that morning, not only makes me feel more put together, but also reminds me that now I can film content later today. So, I have no excuses not to, because I’m ready.
Self-care can also be as simple as a hair mask or treating yourself to a mani/pedi. These actions aren’t vanity; they’re actually signaling to your brain, “I now have more motivation” or “I look and feel good today.”
When you feel good, you show up better in all areas of your life…for your workouts, your career, your content, and your goals, rather than saying, “I’ll do it another day.” Treat yourself to small self-care actions and notice the difference they make.
Move Your Body
Working out isn’t about chasing a perfect body or trying to reach extreme goals. It’s about keeping your body functional, your mind steady, and your energy level consistent.
Walks, stretching, Pilates, light weights, it all counts. Think of working out as maintenance, not performance.
Try our 25 Days of 25-Minute Workouts, a new workout drops every day, and the previous one disappears. The perfect opportunity for no excuses, just go. It’s only 25 minutes.
Food Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated
Some people might think meal prep is too complicated to stick with, but it’s really just about preparation. I recommend looking at it by keeping it simple:
- Two proteins
- Two veggies
- One carb
- One sauce you love
- Snacks that aren’t chaotic
The goal is to reduce decision fatigue and make healthier choices rather than reaching for something with no nutritional value.
Upgrade Your Week with One Habit at a Time
Instead of thinking that by January you have to “cut out everything,” try one micro-change each week:
- Reduce caffeine
- Limit screen time after 9 PM
- Take one alcohol-free day
- One early bedtime week
- A Sunday reset (laundry, planning, cleaning)
Small tweaks add up without feeling impossible to accomplish.
Shed Only What’s Not Helping You Move Forward
Be brutally honest: Is scrolling Instagram making you feel like you’re behind? Are you stuck comparing your life to someone else's vacation pictures? Are you mentally exhausted by someone’s constant negativity?
Let it go, or at least create distance. Your peace is cheaper than your screen time.
Make A Change For Future You
Investing in yourself takes dedication and focus, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible. Start small: one new habit a week, whether it’s a morning ritual, a weekly upgrade, a micro-goal, or a self-care action. These steps will lead to positive change and feel more achievable.
What new habits have you formed this year?