For many people, December is the busiest month of the year: short days, a packed diary, and parties, dinners and treats everywhere. This article explains why all this hustle and bustle can feel overwhelming, how to maintain a balance without falling into an ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset, and what role magnesium plays in this.
Why does the festive season feel so hectic and tiring?
The festive season combines short days, a packed schedule, a less regular routine and more social obligations, and that takes its toll on both body and mind. As a result, many people feel more bloated and tire more quickly in December than usual.
Whereas for the rest of the year you have a fairly regular rhythm of eating, exercising and sleeping, in December this routine often gets thrown into disarray. Late evenings, more meals and less time for exercise all add up. This isn’t a sign that anything is wrong; it’s just part of a busy season. It does help, however, to understand where the stress comes from, so you can make more conscious choices about where to focus your energy.
Do you really put on a lot of weight over the festive season?
Research has shown for years that the average weight gain around the festive season is modest: around half a kilo to a whole kilo over six to eight weeks (1, 2). What’s more, a large part of any sudden increase on the scales after a Christmas dinner is actually fluid and food passing through your gut, not fat.
To gain one kilo of body fat, you’d need to consume around 8,000 kcal above your daily requirement. That’s an enormous amount that you simply can’t achieve with a single dinner. If you do find yourself weighing more after a lavish dinner, it’s mainly because you’ve eaten saltier and more carbohydrate-rich food, causing you to retain more fluid. After a few normal days, this usually sorts itself out. However, there are significant individual differences: those who maintain a consistent routine throughout the year generally notice little effect from such weeks (3).
How do you maintain balance without falling into an ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset?
The best way to maintain balance is through small, sustainable choices, not through strict restrictions beforehand or letting go of everything until 1 January. Both extremes often result in feeling exhausted in January.
The first group tends to be extra strict in December to ‘make room’ for Christmas: eating very little, cutting out carbohydrates, doing extra cardio. This backfires, because prolonged deprivation almost always leads to overcompensation as soon as the food is on the table. The second group lets December slide completely, skips every workout and says ‘yes’ to everything, only to make a massive U-turn on 1 January. That leap from zero to a hundred is rarely sustainable. Habits that stick develop step by step, not in extreme leaps.
What practical steps can you take to get through the festive season more calmly?
Stick to your normal routine as much as possible, keep active and make conscious choices about when to join in. That makes more of a difference than a strict diet you won’t be able to stick to anyway.
- No crash diets. Don’t deprive yourself for days on end only to overindulge afterwards. Make sure every meal centres on protein and plenty of fruit and vegetables. If you’re having a lavish dinner in the evening, it’s perfectly fine to skip a meal the next day – but never the day before – so that you don’t sit down to eat feeling ravenous.
- Keep active, but don’t expect perfect training weeks. Accept that busy weeks and closed gyms mean you won’t be able to train as consistently. A walk with the family counts too.
- Try saying ‘no’ a bit more often. You don’t have to attend every drinks party or try every snack just because it’s there. Choose the moments you’re really looking forward to. Being selective isn’t about being unsociable; it’s about giving yourself some peace and quiet.
What role does magnesium play during a busy month?
Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function. Magnesium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. Magnesium contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
Magnesium is a mineral involved in hundreds of processes in your body, including the conversion of food into energy and the transmission of nerve impulses in your nervous system. In a month with irregular eating patterns and hectic weeks, your intake can easily fall short. The recommended daily intake is 375 mg, and you can’t always get that from food alone. If you’d like to understand exactly what magnesium does, you can read more in our guide to magnesium.
One serving of Ekopura Magnesium (magnesium glycinate) provides 350 mg of elemental magnesium – that’s 93 per cent of the daily reference intake – with no unnecessary additives. It’s a handy way to keep your intake up during a busy month. You’ll find more options in our magnesium collection.
Frequently asked questions
Does magnesium help with stress?
There is no approved claim that magnesium reduces stress. Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function. Magnesium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
How much magnesium do you need per day?
The Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) for magnesium is 375 mg per day. One serving of Ekopura Magnesium provides 350 mg of elemental magnesium, which is 93% of that daily reference value.
When is the best time to take magnesium?
There is no single ‘best’ time. Choose a time that suits you best, for example with a meal. Consistency is more important than the exact time.
Will you put on weight from just one Christmas dinner?
You’re unlikely to gain weight permanently from just one dinner. To gain one kilo of body fat, you’d need to consume around 8,000 kcal more than your daily requirement. A sudden increase on the scales is mainly down to fluid and food in your gut, and this usually evens out again after a few days.
References
- Schoeller, Dale A. “The effect of holiday weight gain on body weight.” Physiology & Behavior 134 (2014): 66–69.
- Guerrero-Magaña, Diego E., et al. “Interventions for the prevention of weight gain during festive and holiday periods in children and adults: A systematic review.” Obesity Reviews 26.1 (2025): e13836.
- Abdulan IM, Popescu G, Maștaleru A, et al. “Winter Holidays and Their Impact on Eating Behaviour: A Systematic Review.” Nutrients 15.19 (2023): 4201.
