15 Things That Helped Me Through a Crazy Busy Month

Potions, tools and treatments to have on your radar for party season...

It’s been a busy month but somehow, and this is not normally my forte, I’ve managed to get through without a cough, cold or nervous breakdown (watch me jinx myself with this one). I’m 37 and need a little extra help these days to jump out of bed after 5 hours sleep or go out 3 nights in a row these days. To be honest, I try and avoid both at all costs if I can but sometimes, needs must... I think the below definitely played a part in keeping me going bug-free and looking fairly presentable at short notice throughout, so I thought they might come in handy as we all head into another busy couple of months with Christmas parties already part of our day-to-day vocab again.

Alongside all of the below, the biggest thing for me is knowing and honouring my limits. I manage my diary as a whole rather than day by day so I can see the big picture rather than just see if I’m free on the day in question. Try and be realistic about timings and your own personal resources, physical and emotional, for what you’re taking on, because really the best thing to help get through busy periods is the ability to say ‘no’ to what is beyond you and really there’s no shame in that. I’m far from perfect at it and get myself in numerous diary muddles and over-subscriptions regularly, but when I really do priortise properly and say ‘no’ or ‘not now’ to things that are only going to take away rather than add (children, pets and loved ones excluded), that’s when things really start to flow.

For me, building in small blocks of quiet downtime wherever I can, whether that’s a dog walk, a 20-minute bath or a cup of tea in bed in the morning, is essential for keeping me sane and energized. If you’re more extrovertly inclined, your downtime might look like a phone call with a friend, a workout class or a drink out after a long day. Whatever you need to do to keep a sense of equilibrium and take care of yourself amidst the craziness, do it and make no apologies for it. The below are just a few things I lean on when things get manic.

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Leapfrog Immune pills
I’m amazed I haven’t had a scratchy throat this month what with multiple flights and late nights. I’ve been taking 2 of these a day all month and really do think all the credit is down to these. They’re expensive but apparently it’s the lactoferrin in them that makes them supercharged.

COSRX Pimple Patches
The only spot patches I’ve come across that stay on all night. I wake up in the morning and actively have to peel them off. Plus, and this is crucial, I really think they work. They reduce the life span of a spot significantly and really do take the heat out of a breakout, calming angry pimples down overnight.

Nutriburst Ashwaganda KSM-66 Gummies
Ashwanganda is great for those of us who struggle with holding tension and regulating our adrenals and these gummies are my favourite way to take it.

Sweet Bee Organics Magnesium Sleep Butter
Me and my mum are both obsessed with this stuff. I smother it onto the soles of my feet before bed and really credit it to helping me get a better quality of sleep without pills.