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Somehow, trying to relax is often the hardest part of relaxing—meaning achieving a restful holiday takes some forethought. Even as hectic work schedules wind down, travel and the demands of the holiday season can make it more challenging to fall into the rituals and rejuvenation cycles we’d lean on at any other time of year.
Taking an office poll, R&R looks different for every editor. One snowbird is making a jaunt to a tropical destination where relaxing will happen beachside—with her faithful sunscreen and UV-protective gear in tow. Another is leaning into running, lacing up his District Vision sneakers for a jog along a scenic trail. Others are falling back on tried-and-true self-care, like cozying up in our favorite pajamas, putting a face mask on, and reading a new book. Here, 10 Vogue editors share how they plan to get some much-needed rest before the new year—and with a busy fashion month on the horizon.
Our Top Picks
Talia Abbas, senior shopping editor
Running is my kind of R&R, so I’ll be doing a lot of that over break. I just got some new running shoes and gear from On that have been keeping me toasty in the cold. I also want to be more mindful of my caffeine intake—matcha is the next best thing since I can’t not have an afternoon latte. Blue Bottle’s is a favorite. And then finally, a friend got me a gift card to The Well for my birthday, which I look forward to putting to use for a little treatment or sound-bath meditation.
Kiana Murden, beauty shopping writer
Mental and physical wellness are a top priority for me this holiday season, ushering in my 2024 focus. Taking careful care of your body and mind is not to be underestimated. I might just keep my phone on DND as I spend my days practicing yoga and pilates, drinking my AG1 greens powder, journaling, and lighting an aromatic candle.
Madeline Fass, senior shopping market editor
With more time to relax during the holiday break, I look forward to putting more effort into daily self-care. Indulging in masks and body treatments that I often tell myself I don’t have enough time to do is a good place to start!
Alexis Bennett Parker, senior shopping writer
In preparation for 2024, I’m using the holiday break to do a lot of meditation and self-reflection. Meditation cards and a great journal always help me sort out all the ideas floating around in my head. Plus, I’ll be rereading some of my favorite books to help me relax and recharge.
Clarissa Schmidt, shopping producer
As we head into the second half of the year—and into the holiday season—finding time to stay grounded and present has been top of mind more than ever. A few of my favorite ways to do this are by squeezing in a quick run, practicing yoga, journaling, and applying a good face mask. Rest assured, you won’t find me without my Manduka mat and Kiehl’s clay mask over the next few days!
Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty editor
My fiancé is taking me on a surprise vacation for New Year’s. All I know? We’re going somewhere warm. So I’ll be packing a little bit of everything to cover my bases. First up: his-and-hers sunscreens. (He exclusively wears Supergoop! Glow Screen and calls it his “Robert Pattison moisturizer” because it’s slightly shimmery; I always bring Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF 70 because it works on both face and body.) Other warm-weather necessities include a new rash guard (Cynthia Rowley makes fantastic UPF clothing that acts similar to sunscreen and is great for snorkeling), my favorite Krewe sunglasses, and the new Hunger Games book. I love a mindless beach read, sue me!
Irene Kim, production and editorial coordinator
As soon as the Vogue Runway team returns in January, we will be jumping straight into fashion-month mode, working every single day until Paris ready-to-wear ends on March 5. Therefore, during this winter break, I plan to rest and do absolutely nothing to prepare my body for the busy workdays ahead. For me, having a good night’s sleep requires comfortable pajamas, a woody room spray, and a cozy blanket to snuggle up in.
Corey Seymour, senior editor
I’ve recently resumed a long-lapsed running habit with great zeal, and I can’t wait to really settle into it over the holidays, both at home in Prospect Park just outside my apartment in Brooklyn and on a few secret trails I know about in Washington, DC. I’ve also become a cultish devotee of District Vision, an amazing company that started out with sport-centric eyewear and expanded into apparel and, most recently, some amazing collaborations—one with New Balance on a new super-stacked trail-running shoe and another with Tokyo-based Suicoke for this kind of après-run hangout shoe. So the routine is this: Half a can of Off-Field’s amazing sports performance drink (with just a touch of THC), a nice long trail run, drink the rest of the Off-Field to kick-start my recovery, zip into my Normatec boots for some compression therapy, then throw on the DV/Suicokes for whatever mellow thing comes up next. It’s heaven.
Kylee McGuigan, associate shopping producer
I finally hopped on the magnesium-supplement bandwagon, and I truly don’t think I can turn back. I’ve been taking Calm every night before bed, and I’ve noticed a true difference in how I’m able to sleep, as well as a greater relief in the chronic tension I hold in my neck and shoulders. To further ensure I feel stress-free and relaxed over the holidays, I might have to invest in a magnesium spray (apparently spraying it on the bottoms of your feet helps?) to start the new year off on the right foot—no pun intended.
Ciarra Lorren Zatorski, fashion editor
As we approach the finish line in what felt like a triathlon of a year, mental and physical resets are certainly in order. And while my bed is an enticing destination to spend the blending days between Christmas and New Year’s, sauna sessions will be on the top of my R&R to-do list! I like to use a dry brush on my body prior to the session to really benefit from the detox, followed by a deep cleanse immediately after.
