Simplify Your Holiday Wellness Routine

Alaya Founder Shauna’s Approach to a Calm Holiday Wellness Routine

Every year, as soon as the calendar flips to November, I start to feel it — that fast acceleration toward the holidays. The to-do lists multiply, the kids’ schedules fill up, and what should feel festive often starts to feel frantic.

Over time, I’ve realized that the more decisions I make each day, the more depleted I feel — not just mentally, but physically. So before the season hits full speed, I take a step back and simplify my routine. I remove friction wherever I can, anchor myself with a few consistent habits, and focus on what actually restores me instead of drains me.

Simplifying isn’t about doing less of what matters, it’s about creating space for what does. Here’s how I approach my holiday wellness routine to stay grounded, energized, and present for the people I love most.

Decision fatigue is real. Especially when every day feels like it comes with its own logistics puzzle. To cut through the noise, I rotate between two or three go-to meals that make me feel good and don’t require mental bandwidth.

Breakfast might be a protein smoothie with collagen and almond butter. Lunch could be eggs with veggies or leftovers tossed with greens and olive oil. The goal isn’t variety, it’s simplicity. These “default meals” remove the question of what to eat and free up mental energy for everything else.

Alaya Tip: Smoothies are an easy anchor for your morning. Prep ingredients, load up on frozen fruits/veggies ahead of time and add a scoop of Multi Collagen Plus or Greens Superblend for extra nutrient support when your schedule gets hectic.

The holidays aren’t the time for perfection, they’re the time for presence. I no longer chase a “perfect” workout routine this time of year. Instead, I choose one small, sustainable way to move my body every day.

Some mornings it’s a walk, other days it’s a quick 15-minute yoga circuit or stretching while my kids play. What matters most is consistency, not intensity. Moving daily helps regulate my energy, manage stress, and keep my focus steady — something I notice instantly when I skip it.

Alaya Tip: Pair gentle, consistent movement with Creatine Monohydrate to support both muscle strength and cognitive energy, especially when you’re juggling a lot.

Cooking can easily become another source of stress when time gets short. So each Sunday, I batch-prep a few essentials: roasted veggies, cooked quinoa or lentils, and a big pot of soup. If I have extra time, I prepare simple meals I can freeze as well.

It’s not elaborate, but it means I can “assemble” dinners in minutes during the week instead of cooking from scratch. Having healthy staples on hand keeps me from reaching for snacks or my kids’ leftovers when I’m hungry and short on time.

Alaya Tip: Think of your prep day as setting up future ease. Even chopping vegetables or making a big salad base can make weekday meals faster and more intentional.

When the calendar gets full, small rituals are what keep me centered. I call them  anchor rituals—the little things I do automatically, no matter how busy life gets.

For me, that’s drinking a big glass of water before my matcha, taking my supplements after breakfast, and putting my phone away an hour before bed. These simple habits make the day feel less chaotic and keep me connected to my body instead of my to-do list.

Alaya Tip: Build your anchor rituals around your natural flow. For example, keep your Daily Essentials Multivitamin next to your coffee maker or water bottle so you never skip it. That’s one less decision to make later!

Simplifying isn’t just about what’s in your pantry or on your calendar; it’s about how you create boundaries. Every “yes” comes at a cost, and I’ve learned that saying “no” to people and events that drain me means saying “yes” to my health, peace, and presence with the people who feed me.

There’s freedom in choosing not to overfill your plate, literally and metaphorically. The more I protect my time and energy, the more space I have for joy and connection. And that’s the point of the holiday season, right?

Alaya Reflection: Protecting your energy is a wellness practice. Rest, healthy pauses, and unstructured moments often do more for your well-being than any elaborate plan.

6. Reframing “Wellness” for the Holidays

I used to see the holidays as something to get through, a season where my healthy routines would inevitably slip. Now I see it differently: it’s an opportunity to practice grace and flexibility.

Your holiday wellness routine doesn’t have to look like your routine in July. It’s okay if your workouts are shorter, your meals are simpler, or you’re out later at night. What matters most is the intention behind your choices — not the illusion of control.

When you treat wellness as something flexible and forgiving, it becomes easier to maintain. And ironically, the more you let go of perfection, the more consistent you become.

My Takeaway: Doing Less, Gaining More

Heading into the holidays, wellness doesn’t have to mean doing more. By implementing simple anchors and rituals and letting go of the pressure to “do it all,” you create more space to actually enjoy the season.

Simplifying isn’t about losing discipline, it’s about gaining clarity. It’s about knowing that a healthy body and calm mind don’t require elaborate systems; they’re built through small, repeatable choices that keep you aligned with what matters. Also, it’s okay to splurge sometimes! I certainly do.

Here’s to entering the holidays feeling lighter, calmer, and more grounded — not because everything is perfect, but because you’ve made peace with doing less more intentionally.

XOXO,

Shauna