10 Tips for a Happier Holiday Season

Summer holidays have a magical way of inspiring optimism. We picture ourselves glowing (not sweating), relaxed (not frazzled), and organised (not desperately searching for sunglasses already on our heads). But once the season starts, life often feels more like a juggling act involving heat, plans, people, and the occasional chaotic moment we pretend we’ll laugh about later. Over the years, I’ve gathered some simple habits that make the whole season far more enjoyable. Small tweaks that add ease, keep things balanced, and help you actually feel like you’re on holiday instead of participating in an endurance event.

 

1. 1. 1. Don’t Jam-Pack Your Itinerary
         There’s holiday excitement… and then there’s scheduling yourself into exhaustion. When every day is packed with outings, bookings, long drives and “we should just pop in quickly,” the whole break becomes a logistical marathon. Build breathing space into your days and let some moments happen naturally. Give yourself permission to change your mind or cancel a plan if it starts feeling like admin. A holiday moves at its sweetest pace when you’re not rushing through it like a contestant on a travel-themed game show.

1. 1. 2. Build in Proper Downtime
         A genuinely restorative holiday always includes a few hours, or ideally, a few days, where no one expects anything of you. These quiet pockets might be a morning coffee on the veranda, a slow beach stroll, or an unapologetic nap after lunch. Slowing down helps your body reset, but it also softens your mood and restores patience. When everyone has a little space to decompress, the days feel lighter, conversations feel easier, and the whole atmosphere becomes calmer.

1. 1. 3. Protect Your Sleep
         Warm evenings, social plans and late dinners can be a treat, but string too many together and you enter the territory of foggy mornings and short fuses. Instead of powering through every night, alternate late evenings with early ones. Prioritising sleep, even just occasionally, keeps your energy steady and your sense of humour intact. It’s a simple but powerful way to enjoy more of the season without feeling like you’re dragging yourself through it.

1. 1. 4. The Capsule Wardrobe Trick
         There is nothing quite as liberating as opening your suitcase and knowing that everything works together. A small, intentional wardrobe removes decision fatigue and makes getting ready surprisingly easy. Choose comfortable pieces that mix and match and stick to a simple palette. You’ll save space, reduce stress, and avoid the annual “I packed 12 outfits and somehow have nothing to wear” ritual. Lighter luggage truly does translate into a lighter mind.

1. 1. 5. Hydrate Like It’s an Olympic Event
         Between the heat, walking around, swimming, chatting, and enjoying the occasional drink, dehydration creeps in quietly but dramatically. Keep a water bottle close, in the car, in your bag, at the table, on the beach. If you think you’ve had enough, have a bit more. Hydration keeps your energy up, prevents headaches, and makes every part of the day feel just a little more manageable.

1. 1. 6. Prep for the Sun (Properly)
         Sun care is one of those things you only appreciate when you don’t do it. Generous sunscreen, reapplying it, wearing a hat, choosing shady spots, and giving your skin a break all make a substantial difference. Sunburn isn’t a holiday souvenir; it’s a saboteur. Protect yourself consistently and your body will thank you long after the holiday ends.

1. 1. 7. Pace Your Drinks and Avoid Turning Mornings Into Recovery Missions
         Enjoying a drink or two can absolutely be part of summer, but anything that ruins the next day deserves a respectful amount of caution. Have water between drinks, go slow, and be mindful of anything that feels like a “special mix.” If you’re planning to have alcohol, take Myrkl so you’re looking after yourself without pretending you’re invincible. The holiday season is generous with its social moments; you don’t need to burn through all of them in one feverish night.

1. 1. 8. Move a Little Every Day
         Holidays are meant to be relaxing, but your body still loves a bit of gentle movement. A morning walk, a casual swim, a stretch session, or even a slow wander around a market keeps your energy flowing. Movement also helps buffer holiday indulgences so you can enjoy the food, the treats and the lazy moments without feeling sluggish. And while we’re here, eating healthy some of the time is enough. Fresh fruit, a few balanced meals, and the occasional vegetable form a perfectly reasonable compromise between holiday enjoyment and basic nutritional respectability.

1. 1. 9. Make Time for Yourself, Your Friends, and Your Family
         A well-rounded holiday includes a blend: time with others, time alone, and time doing absolutely nothing. Say yes to the things that genuinely add joy and say no to invitations that feel like effort disguised as fun. Balance doesn’t come from fitting everyone in, it comes from honouring your energy and your relationships in equal measure. A lighter social load often results in better-quality moments with the people who matter most.

1. 1. 10. Screen-Free Pockets
          Phones have a way of consuming entire afternoons without you realising. Setting aside device-free times, mornings, meals, or late afternoons, gives your mind a break and invites you back into your surroundings. You notice more, unwind faster and engage more deeply. Even short digital pauses can make the whole season feel richer and more present.

 

The Bottom Line

Summer doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful, it just needs to be lived at a pace that lets you enjoy it. These small habits help you keep things light, balanced and pleasurable without overcomplicating the season. Look after your sleep, protect your skin, hydrate generously, move gently, and savour the slow moments. And if you do enjoy a drink or two, take Myrkl and keep yourself steady without turning the next morning into an exercise in regret. Summer is long enough to enjoy, but short enough to appreciate, so make it easy where you can and let the rest unfold naturally.

Enjoyed this article? Get some more Myrkl wisdom by reading The Joy of Socialising at a Slower Pace or The Non-Alcoholic Revolution.

Important Notes:

*MYRKL is a supplement designed to support well-being while consuming alcohol and promote responsible alcohol consumption. It efficiently breaks down the absorption of alcohol, giving you the opportunity to enjoy your social experiences regret-free. Do not take more than the recommended dose of 2 capsules in 24 hours.

Based on a randomised placebo-controlled double-blind crossover study, conducted with 24 healthy subjects. Subjects were randomised to take 2 capsules/day of AB001 or placebo for 1 week prior to experimental day, where they ingested a light breakfast and drank a moderate glass of spirit (0.3 g/kg body weight).

1. Pfützner A, Hanna M, Andor Y, Sachsenheimer D, Demircik F, Wittig T and de Faire J. Chronic Uptake of A Probiotic Nutritional Supplement (AB001) Inhibits Absorption of Ethylalcohol in the Intestine Tract – Results from a Randomized Double-blind Crossover Study. Nutr. Metab. Insights. 2022;15:1-5.

MYRKL (capsules), Unscheduled. D 34.12: Complementary Medicine (Health Supplement). Contains Fermented Rice Bran (Oryza sativa), L-Cysteine, Dextrin and Vitamin B12. (fermented by Bacillus subtilis & Bacillus coagulans). This medicine is subject to regulatory control by SAHPRA.

Developed and formulated by: De Faire Medical AB, Västra Trädgårdsgatan 11A, 111 53 Stockholm, Sweden.

Applicant: Imperial Market Access Healthcare SA (Pty) Ltd, 57 Sarel Baard Crescent, Gateway Industrial Park, Rooihuiskraal, 0157.

General contact information: Tel: 012 621 4300, info.mahsa.sm@dpworld.com. For any quality or safety related queries, please contact Imperial Quality at quality.healthcare.sm@dpworld.com or Imperial Medical at pvimperiallogistics@dpworld.com.