December seems to appear out of nowhere, doesn’t it? One minute we’re juggling school runs and work projects, the next we’re rushing out for strawberries and Secret Santa gifts, wondering how the year vanished so quickly. For many of my clients (and my own family, too), December brings a curious mix of exhaustion and excitement. The body is craving rest just as the calendar fills with end-of-year everything.
But here’s the truth: real wellness doesn’t come from squeezing in one last burst of productivity before the holidays. It comes from pausing. The art of the wind-down is about honouring your nervous system, letting your body exhale after twelve months of constant “on,” and giving yourself permission to be rather than do-do-do.
Slow Down to Switch Off
Over the years, I’ve worked with people who reach this point of the year utterly depleted, running on caffeine and adrenaline, convinced they’ll finally relax once the Christmas rush is over. And truthfully, I’ve not only worked with those people, I’ve been that person too! But the body doesn’t work that way. When we stay in go-mode for too long, stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline remain elevated, making it hard to drop into rest even when we try.
The first step to truly winding down is slowing your pace intentionally. That might mean finishing work an hour earlier, turning off notifications, or taking your morning coffee outside to listen to the birds. Little signals like these tell your body, “You’re safe. It’s okay to rest now.” Even five deep breaths before you start your day, or a barefoot walk on the grass or sand, can help recalibrate your nervous system, simple, accessible grounding that costs nothing and pays off hugely. This isn’t the first time you’ll hear me say it, but slowing down also means saying “no” more often than you’re probably comfortable with. And yes, guilty as charged… I’ve long been the Queen of Yes.
Redefine Rest
For many Kiwis, “time off” quickly turns into a packed itinerary of road trips, family visits and back-to-back social events. Lovely, yes, but not exactly restful. True rest is more than sleep; it’s recovery for your mind as well as your body.
You might find it in reading under a tree, floating in the sea, or lying on the deck listening to the cicadas. Doing nothing can be surprisingly difficult for many people. It’s about allowing unstructured moments that let your thoughts drift, your muscles unclench and your breath deepen. The keyword here being… allowing. You may need to consciously grant yourself permission.
In our house, we try to keep at least one day of the holidays plan-free. No alarms, no agenda. It’s incredible how restorative that single day can be, especially for kids who’ve had a year full of structure and stimulation.
Eat and Move in Tune with the Season
Summer invites a natural lightness with longer days, fresh produce and warmth. Let your body match that rhythm. Swap heavy, rushed meals for colourful salads, fresh seafood, juicy stone fruit and big jugs of water infused with mint or citrus. Movement, too, can feel joyful rather than overly disciplined: a swim at the beach, an evening walk or a backyard cricket game. Gentle, playful motion helps release built-up tension without adding stress. Move for joy, not for “burn.” Dance while you prep dinner, jump in the surf or walk to grab an ice cream. It’s movement that lifts mood, not drains energy. It’s time for your body to be heard without the noise of the rush and agendas.
Make the Wind-Down a Family Ritual
Rest is contagious. When parents learn to slow down, children notice. Try creating small, shared rituals: evening stretches together, morning gratitude before breakfast, or ending the day watching the sunset instead of screens. These moments become the memories we actually carry forward, the feeling of togetherness and peace that no gift or party can replace.
The Real Reset
So this December, resist the urge to fill every minute or say “yes” to all of those invites. Let the year close gently. Rest is not laziness; it’s your body’s way of restoring balance so you can begin the new year grounded, creative and full of energy. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is nothing at all.
As the year winds down, it’s easy to see rest as something you earn at the end, a reward for getting everything done. But when you treat rest as part of your wellness, not a break from it, things shift. You return to yourself. You reconnect with the things that make life feel full again: presence, ease and fresh strawberries.
Protect your peace. Say no to things. That’s the real summer reset.
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