The 80/20 Rule: How to Stay Healthy During the Holidays (and Beyond)

The 80/20 rule is inspired by the Pareto Principle — an economic concept that suggests 80% of results come from 20% of effort.

In the context of health and nutrition as I look at it, the healthy habits you stick to 80% of the time are what produce the biggest return. The other 20% are what make life enjoyable and sustainable. With this mindset, as long as your base habits stay strong, you won’t lose progress with the occasional dessert or glass of wine.

It’s about making conscious choices most of the time so your body and skin can thrive all of the time.

The 80/20 rule helps you stay consistent, build habits you can actually maintain, and supports your overall wellness from the inside out. In fact, studies show that flexible approaches are more effective in the long term than strict, all-or-nothing plans.

The 80/20 rule is a framework, not a loophole. It keeps your health on the right track while allowing space for the real world, too. The key with the 80/20 rule (especially during the holiday season) is awareness: knowing when to nourish and when to enjoy — without self-judgment.

The 80/20 rule works best when you make it your own — and stick with it on a steady basis. Below are my top wellness tips for building sustainable habits that support balanced living year-round, along with simple ways to stay healthy during the holidays without feeling restricted.

Build a sturdy foundation of healthy habits — including nutrient-dense, good-for-you meals, vegetables, lean proteins, plenty of hydration, regular movement, and quality sleep. These are the daily routines that can support energy, clear skin, and total wellness.

Decide ahead of time which treats or holiday events are worth using your 20%. Maybe it’s a Christmas sugarplum, a dinner out, or a decadent glass of wine with friends. Planning things out helps you truly enjoy the moment, be fully present, and maintain balanced eating habits throughout every season.

Fill your 80% with healthy habits you actually enjoy. Workout with friends or experiment with new recipes centered around your favorite vegetables. Dessert doesn’t always have to mean indulgence either. Satisfy your sweet tooth with smarter swaps like peanut butter or dark chocolate, which cut cravings with less sugar, or trade your cocktail for a sparkling mocktail.

Simple daily habits, such as walking after meals, stretching, prioritizing rest, and staying hydrated, make a powerful difference in the grand scheme of things. These small, consistent actions support digestion, balance stress, curb cravings, and keep your body and skin thriving.

Before or after big meals or festive gatherings, dial in your 80% baseline. Fill up your plate with whole foods, drink plenty of H20, and get a good night's rest. This helps your body recover naturally and reinforces the 80/20 rule of healthy living.

Tread lightly if it helps, but don’t let slip-ups derail your progress, determination, or mindset. Every day is an opportunity to start fresh and get back on track — not a reason to dwell on what you didn’t or weren’t able to do yesterday. 

The beauty of the 80/20 rule is that it can be applied on any scale: in a single day, over the week, or as a long-term approach. You might follow your 80% habits, like revitalizing meals, hydration, and exercise — during the week, and lean into your 20% flexibility over the weekend. 

Here’s how I personally like to visualize that approach:

Monday – Thursday
80% — cook whole foods at home, drink lots of water, workouts, and restorative sleep. These healthy habits support energy, digestion, and skin health all week long.

Friday
20% — go out to dinner, enjoy some sake or glass of wine and share a dessert.

Saturday
80/20 day — move your body in ways that feel good, whether that’s a hike or yoga session. Have a productive day getting things done, and then in the evening enjoy yourself, whatever that means for your weekend.

Sunday
20/80 day — sleep in a little later, enjoy a slow morning, have a cup of coffee, and then use the day to reset. Clean the house, go grocery shopping, and meal plan for the upcoming week. These simple habits help you recharge, recenter, refocus, and return to your wellness routine feeling grounded.

The 80/20 rule isn’t about perfection — it’s about balance over time. 

Especially during the holidays, when routines shift and indulgences are all around, this mindset helps you stay grounded without feeling overly restricted.

Some weeks may look more like 85/15 or even 90/10 — and that’s completely fine. What matters most is staying intentional most of the time, while allowing yourself to enjoy life’s celebrations with awareness and confidence.

This is where guilt-free joy meets health-conscious mindfulness. 

When you nourish your body with whole foods, rest consistently, stay active, and care for your mind as much as your body, you’re not just maintaining wellness, you’re supporting your skin’s vitality, equilibrium, and long-term health.

The 80/20 rule keeps you steady through the holiday season, but it’s also a framework you can use all year long to adapt, reset, and thrive.

While nutrition and lifestyle can flex with the seasons, skincare can’t.

If you want to make lasting biological changes in your skin, it's not an 80/20 practice, it’s 100%. To maintain glowing, youthful skin, daily use of an active, anti-aging skincare routine is a non-negotiable.

Use your KaramMD Trifecta twice a day, every day. That daily commitment allows your skin to build visible, lasting results layer by layer, without any setbacks.

Transformation happens when you approach your health and skin with the same philosophy: intentional, consistent, and sustainable care that helps you look and feel your best, through Halloween treats, Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas celebrations, and every other day that follows.