As Christmas approaches, the mix of parties, deadlines, and shopping can leave us feeling burnt out. With more alcohol, less nutritious food, and disrupted sleep, it’s easy to add pressure to maintain routines or push training harder. We spoke with Head Nutritionist at Third Space, Rachel Butcher, who shared her expert tips for finding balance over the festive period. She shares her knowledge on reframing your mindset: focus on maintaining habits and minimising setbacks, so you can enter 2026 feeling positive and energised.

Enjoy time with friends and family

Overindulging until you feel hungover or overstuffed isn’t enjoyable, and neither is over-restricting and avoiding social situations altogether. Often, taking a “it’s Christmas” approach can mean a couple of social occasions a week quickly turn into a month of indulgence. To truly enjoy the season, be present. Plan a few occasions of ‘discretionary calories’ each week, understanding that your choices on these nights might not contribute directly to your overall nutrition, but they give you a psychological break. This approach lets you enjoy Christmas without overindulging, leaving around 80% of the month to make balanced choices.

Focus on the basics during your normal routine

Everyone experiences Christmas differently. If you want to push on with training and nutrition throughout the month, absolutely do so. The key is to find a strategy that prevents stress and supports your wellbeing.

Maintain your training/exercise regime

Everyone experiences Christmas differently. If you want to push on with training and nutrition throughout the month, absolutely do so. The key is to find a strategy that prevents stress and supports your wellbeing.

Here at Third Space

If you’re thinking about stepping into 2026 with a new routine, our nutritionists can help you create a refreshed plan that fits your goals. If you’re unsure where your diet may have fallen short this year and want to reset your nutrition in 2026, consider booking a 1:1 consultation through our nutrition page for personalised guidance tailored to your needs.