Ah, Cannes. That glittering stretch of cinematic madness where A-listers descend like beautifully dressed migrating birds, cocktails flow as freely as questionable promises, and even the yachts need their own PR teams. The Cannes Film Festival in May is less of an event and more of an endurance sport. Think of it as a glamorous ultra marathon with less Lycra and more Louboutins.
But here’s the thing. To really enjoy it (and avoid looking like a deflated soufflé on day three), you need something far more important than a VIP pass — a routine. Yes, I know. “Routine” doesn’t sound very Cannes, does it? But stick with me.
Why you need a routine (even if you’re on a yacht)
In the madness of red carpets, Rosé-fuelled yacht soirees, and 4am dance floor diplomacy, it’s easy to forget that your body is not, in fact, an indestructible party bot. It’s more like a golden retriever. It needs rest, hydration, sunlight, and ideally, some kind of schedule. Without it, you’ll start unravelling faster than a badly wrapped croissant.
Having a daily anchor — whether that’s a morning walk along the Croisette, a short meditation before your espresso, or a 20-minute bodyweight workout in your hotel room that’s just slightly too small for downward dog — can work wonders. These micro habits create a sense of grounding amid the glitter. They keep your energy stable, your mind sharp, and your smile ready for when someone points a camera in your general direction (which, in Cannes, is always).
The balance bit (yes, you can have champagne and chlorophyll)
Now before you throw your Evian bottle at me, this isn’t about saying no to the fun stuff. You should go to that party on the yacht with the hologram DJ and the weird art installation involving a live flamingo. Just remember that the party will be 10 times more fun if you’ve eaten something green that day, taken your vitamins, and maybe thrown in a cold plunge or at least an aggressive face splash.
Balance doesn’t mean being boring. It just means giving your body what it needs so it doesn’t give up on you midway through Nicole Kidman’s Q&A.
Flexible discipline: be the palm tree, not the plank
Here’s the plot twist. You’re going to stray from your routine. That’s part of the magic. There will be nights where you say “just one drink” and wake up at sunrise in a pool float shaped like a unicorn. That’s fine. Cannes happens. But the trick is not to spiral. Think of your routine not as a rigid checklist, but as a home base you can return to. Like a wellness-flavoured hug.
Start your day with breathwork, hit your supplement stack (magnesium, B12, vitamin C, and a good probiotic never go out of style), and get some Côte d’Azur vitamin D on your face. Honestly, 15 minutes in the sun with your shoes off and a coffee in hand can reset your entire nervous system. Even better if that coffee is on the rooftop of Hôtel Martinez with Chopard, where the view (and jewellery) can fix just about anything.
Pro tips from the trenches
- Hydration is your best friend. Drink water like you’re prepping for a camel ride across the Sahara. Add electrolytes. Bonus points for coconut water that doesn’t taste like regret.
- Move your body daily. Even if it’s just a stretch or a power pose on a balcony. (Yes, that counts.)
- Say no sometimes. FOMO is real, but so is burnout. Choose the parties that spark joy, not the ones that just look good on Instagram.
- Sleep when you can. Cannes doesn’t stop, but you should. Power naps are basically performance-enhancing drugs in this environment.
- Sneak in recovery. Ice baths, IV drips, lymphatic drainage, or just a solid 10 minutes with your legs up the wall. Your body will thank you. Your Instagram followers will pretend they don’t notice.
Smile like you mean it
In the end, the whole point of Cannes is to show up as the best version of yourself. Whether that’s networking on a sun-drenched yacht, dancing barefoot at an afterparty, or giving the kind of smile on the red carpet that says, “I have my life together” (even if you’ve lost your sunglasses and half your dignity).
So build your routine, bend it when you need to, pop your vitamins like a health-conscious Bond villain, and remember. This isn’t survival of the fittest, it’s survival of the best prepared.
And ideally, the best dressed.
Join us throughout Cannes for Peak State activations, designed to keep you calm, focused, and feeling unstoppable, all week long — brought to you by Monaco Life.
Photo credit: Jaron Grobler, Unsplash
