How to Support Your Hormones, Adrenals & Thyroid Through the Silly Season
December and Christmas can feel magical in ways, but it can also be the month where your nervous system quietly starts waving a white flag. Between late nights, endless events, extra sugar, family dynamics, disrupted routines and the emotional sprint toward Christmas, your adrenals and thyroid usually take the brunt.
If you’re feeling more overwhelmed, puffy, bloated or exhausted than usual at this time of year, it’s not a personal failing. It’s physiology. And with the right support, you can glide through December without the energy crash that so many mums face come January.
Here’s how to support your hormones all month long.
1. Your Nervous System Sets the Tone for Your Hormones
December is peak sympathetic-nervous-system season. When your brain stays in “go mode,” your cortisol stays elevated and your body becomes more reactive to stress, alcohol, sugar and poor sleep.
This is often when women notice
• irritability or mood swings
• anxiety creeping in
• disrupted sleep
• wired-but-tired energy
Bringing in simple daily down-regulation practices—breathwork, 5-minute grounding, a warm shower before bed, keeping up with a gentle exercise routine—helps signal safety back into your system so your hormones can stabilise.
2. Adrenal Support Is Non-Negotiable in December
Your adrenals do a lot behind the scenes: they manage stress hormones, regulate energy, and communicate closely with thyroid function.
By the end of December many women experience:
• afternoon slumps
• reliance on caffeine
• salty cravings
• more bloating and inflammation
Adrenal nourishment matters more this month than ever. Think: protein-first meals, B-vitamins, electrolytes, magnesium, and a proper sleep wind-down routine (not scrolling in bed), and holding onto a decent bed/sleep time is crucial.
3. Festive Foods Can Trigger Bloating – Here’s Why
Even the healthiest women feel the bloat in December. Not because you’re “eating badly” but because:
• stress slows digestive enzyme output
• cortisol reduces stomach acid
• alcohol and sugar impact gut motility
• bigger, richer meals overwhelm a tired digestive system
Support this by slowing your eating, chewing thoroughly, staying hydrated, adding bitters/ginger before meals, and keeping fibre consistent.
4. Protecting Your Thyroid Through the Silly Season
Your thyroid is highly sensitive to stress, blood sugar swings, late nights and inflammation. December can create the perfect storm for:
• weight fluctuations
• brain fog
• low motivation
• temperature dysregulation
• dry skin or hair shedding
This is why December is the perfect time to prepare your thyroid for a smoother, more energised New Year. Nourish it with protein, selenium, zinc, iodine-rich foods, steady routines and consistent meals (even when life feels chaotic).
5. Your December Reset Plan
These simple but powerful shifts can change everything:
• Start the morning with protein + electrolytes
• Take 5 minutes daily for nervous system regulation
• Prioritise sleep boundaries wherever possible
• Swap a couple of alcoholic drinks for mineral water with lime
• Add bitters or ginger before heavier meals
• Eat every 3–4 hours to stabilise blood sugar
• Move your body each day (even 10 minutes counts)
Small steps now = a calmer, lighter, more energised January.
Ready for a More Balanced December?
If you’re feeling the December overwhelm creeping in—bloating, exhaustion, mood changes, or the dreaded energy crash—this is exactly what I help women with.
I’ve opened a few December and early-January appointments to help you reset your nervous system, support your adrenals and get your thyroid ready for a fresh year.
