The Gift of Wellness: Bone Broth for Holiday Self-Care

The holidays are a time for joy, laughter, and… let's be honest, a bit of chaos. Between family gatherings, decadent meals, and that ever-growing to-do list, your wellness routine can easily fall by the wayside.

But there’s no reason to let rising stress levels steal your cheer or festive feasting lead to cranky digestion! There’s an ancient remedy that’s as comforting as it is effective: bone broth. 

Packed with nutrients and scientifically proven to support your mind and body, bone broth is the holiday self-care essential you need to navigate the season with grace and gusto.

So let’s dive into all the benefits of bone broth, and see why it’s about to become your favorite self-care sidekick.

💙 10 WAYS TO USE BONE BROTH FOR HOLIDAY SELF-CARE

First things first: Why is bone broth good for you?

Bone broth is no ordinary stock. Made by slow-simmering animal bones to extract all the beneficial nutrients in bone marrow, this golden elixir has been trusted for generations to promote healing and wellness. 

The science-backed bone broth health benefits we know today come from its powerful blend of essential minerals, amino acids, collagen, and other vital nutrients. Together, they work wonders to help you thrive — especially when the holiday hustle hits.

Here are our favorite bone broth benefits (and holiday wellness tips!) to keep your season feeling merry and stress-free:

🧘 SIP FOR SERENITY: ALL-NATURAL STRESS RELIEF

Between gift shopping, meal prepping, and that one family member, stress has a way of snowballing into holiday tension. But instead of getting frazzled, turn to bone broth for natural stress and anxiety relief.

Bone broth is rich in glycine, an amino acid known for its calming effects on the brain. Glycine helps lower cortisol (the stress hormone), boosts serotonin for better moods, and may help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression.[*][*]

It’s basically a hug in a mug.

🎁 Steep relaxing chamomile, lemon balm, or lavender tea in bone broth instead of water to naturally relieve stress and anxiety.

🤧 IMMUNITY BOOST FOR WINTER WELLNESS

With the holidays landing right in the middle of cold and flu season, the last thing you want is to be sidelined by the sniffles. Luckily, bone broth is loaded with immune-supporting nutrients that keep you feeling your best.

The amino acids in bone broth encourage the production of antibodies, giving your body a fighting edge against harmful pathogens.[*][*] And with collagen and gelatin fortifying your gut — up to 80% of your immune system lives there! — bone broth offers infection protection from the inside out.[*]

🎁 Why does bone broth make you feel better when you’re under the weather? Much like the science behind chicken soup’s magical effects, bone broth helps relieve upper respiratory symptoms, decrease inflammation, and speed up recovery.[*][*][*] That makes bone broth chicken soup a must in any winter self-care routine!

🛡️ GUT HEALTH SUPPORT

Holiday indulgences are delicious but not always easy on your stomach. Bloating, constipation, and digestive discomfort can quickly take the sparkle out of your season.

So here’s the good news: bone broth’s collagen, gelatin, minerals, and amino acids are a dream team for your gut health. These nutrients:

• Work as natural aids for digestion and ease digestive symptoms
• Balance gut bacteria for a healthy microbiome
• Lower gut inflammation to reduce holiday bloating and other digestive issues
• Strengthen and repair your gut lining to prevent and heal leaky gut

👉 Psst! Check out our guide on bone broth benefits for gut health for a full rundown of the science behind these perks!

Want to bring down stress and bring up those holiday vibes? Start each day with a cup of bone broth for a soothing ritual that preps your gut for all the rich holiday foods. Or drink a cup before heading out to a party to keep digestive woes at bay.

🎁 Consider adding a bone broth cleanse to your post-holiday self-care plan to reset your gut and start the New Year fresh.

💪 KEEP YOUR JOINTS JOLLY

Holiday prep can feel like a workout — lugging shopping bags, decking the halls, and baking tray after tray of cookies all take a toll on your muscles and joints. When your body’s feeling sore, a little stress relief during the holidays goes a long way.

Enter bone broth. With its collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, and amino acids, bone broth may help ease joint pain, knee aches, discomfort, and stiffness.[*][*][*][*] It’s also packed with anti-inflammatory properties to tackle those aches at the source.[*][*][*]

🎁 Want to make bone broth taste better during your TLC? Add anti-inflammatory spices like cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, or garlic for more soothing whole-body relief.

😋 PREVENT OVERINDULGENCE AND KEEP CRAVINGS IN CHECK

Treating yourself to good nutrition is one of the best forms of self-care. Unfortunately, healthy eating often takes a backseat when we’re scrambling through the hectic holiday season.

Bone broth is the gift that keeps on giving! This nutrient-dense food requires zero prep, cooking, or cleanup, making it the ideal way to nourish your body when you don’t have time — especially if you’ve got Instant Bone Broth on hand.

With 10 grams of protein per serving, it satisfies your hunger and helps curb the urge to overeat. For an extra boost, pair it with a healthy fat like ghee, grass-fed butter, or beef tallow to satiate your body even longer.

🎁 Prevent holiday cravings from derailing your health goals with these 20+ tips for incorporating bone broth into your everyday meals.

🍲 TRY COMFORTING BONE BROTH RECIPES

Self-care during the holiday season also looks like nourishing your body and those you love with wholesome foods.

When you have more time in the kitchen, bone broth is way better for you than bouillon and basic stock or broth. It’s richer, heartier, and loaded with protein and essential nutrients to give any dish an extra health punch.

It’s also ultra versatile. Add it to your favorite family recipes, or try new and creative ways to use bone broth to elevate all your meals, sides, and snacks.

🎁 Bookmark our Bone Broth Recipe Collection for endless inspiration! 

📸 GET THAT CAMERA-READY GLOW

‘Tis the season for photos galore! But holiday stress and indulgences can leave your skin looking a little less radiant than you’d like.

Here’s where the collagen in bone broth steps in as your skin’s best friend. Studies show that regular collagen intake may:[*][*][*]

• Smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Improve skin elasticity and firmness
• Promote skin hydration for that dewy glow

🎁 Holiday Self-Care Tip: Treat yourself to a weekly spa night! Add a seasonal-themed bath bomb, pop on a face mask, light some cozy holiday-scented candles, and unwind with a warm mug of your favorite bone broth. Hello, glow up!

⚡ RAISE YOUR ENERGY LEVELS

Between late-night gift wrapping and back-to-back holiday parties, the season can leave you feeling more drained than cheerful. But bone broth empowers you to stay energized without overstimulating your system.

For starters, bone broth electrolytes help prevent dehydration-induced fatigue and brain fog.

Then there’s the amino acid powerhouse. These gems aren’t just natural remedies for stress, anxiety, and depression — they’re also used for energy production.[*] Glycine, in particular, is known to fight fatigue, boost focus, and provide that much-needed mental clarity.[*][*]

And the best part? Glycine also promotes better sleep quality and improves insomnia, which means you’ll be less irritable and have more energy for all your holiday fun.[*][*]

🎁 Want to build healthy holiday habits? Skip the afternoon coffee run and grab a hydrating bone broth drink instead. Try an Iced Matcha Latte with Bone Broth or a Cocoa & Coconut Milk Bone Broth Latte!

💛 MAKE ROOM FOR MOMENTS OF MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness is the heartbeat of self-care for the holiday season. 

Finding time to slow down and appreciate all the abundance around us can feel like a challenge, but taking even a few mindful moments to pause and recharge can be a real gift to yourself and provide all-natural stress and anxiety relief.[*][*][*]

So set healthy boundaries and give yourself permission to say no. You don’t have to attend every holiday event or squeeze in every invite. It’s totally okay (and encouraged!) to carve out time for yourself.

🎁 Sip on a warm mug of beef or chicken bone broth during your mindfulness rituals. It’s the perfect companion to help you feel grounded and present, whether you’re meditating, journaling, or taking a few deep breaths.

💝 GIVE THE GIFT OF WELLNESS

For the health-conscious friend or the family member who loves to try new things, bone broth is a gift that’s as thoughtful as it is practical. It’s a unique way to help your loved ones keep wellness top of mind all year long.

Go for the Classic Beef and Chicken Combo, or surprise them with a Variety Pack featuring our highly-rated Beef, Chicken, Ramen, and Lemon Ginger bone broth flavors.

🎁 Make it extra special with a fun mug and a handwritten note sharing your favorite bone broth recipe ideas — think bone broth hot chocolate or festive holiday mocktails. It’s a gift that says, “Here’s to your health and happiness!”

✨ INSTANT BONE BROTH: YOUR HOLIDAY WELLNESS PARTNER

The holidays should be treasured, not just survived. Adding bone broth to your self-care routine gives your body and mind the support they need to embrace every celebration, feast, and hectic moment.

With our Instant Bone Broth, holiday self-care has never been easier or more delicious. Keep our convenient rip sticks on hand wherever you go — just add water and sip your way to bliss! Then keep them in your routine long after the decorations come down. 😊

Our mission at Bare Bones is to meet you where you are and nourish you with real, whole-food-based nutrients in the form that best fits your lifestyle. Cheers to a stress-free, healthy, and happy holiday season! 🫶