Every December, I feel that familiar pull between the beauty of the season and the weight of the season. My home starts filling with soft lights, Christmas scents, and all my favorite little traditions…
but my schedule fills up, too.
Suddenly I’m juggling gifts, gatherings, cooking, cleaning, emotions, expectations, memories, and “just one more thing” until I’m stretched thin without even realizing it.
If you feel this too, you’re not alone.
In fact, you’re in the majority.
If you’ve been feeling the early signs of holiday burnout, you’re not alone.
Holiday stress is real — and your body feels every bit of it.
The tight chest.
The tired eyes.
The shorter fuse.
The sugar crashes.
The sleepless nights.
That feeling of wanting Christmas to be magical but also wanting a nap until January.
This year, I’m choosing something different:
a calmer Christmas.
A gentler one — for my body, my mind, and my heart.
Here’s what’s really going on inside us this season… and the seven simple, science-backed habits that can bring your nervous system back to peace.
What Holiday Stress Really Does to Your Body
Stress during Christmas isn’t just emotional — it’s hormonal, physical, and deeply rooted in how our bodies respond to constant stimulation, sugar swings, long to-do lists, and unpredictable schedules.
Here’s what’s happening inside:
1. Cortisol gets stuck on “high alert.”
Cortisol is your stress hormone, and in December it often stays elevated longer than it should.
That wired-but-tired feeling?
That’s cortisol.
Many women don’t realize that things like fatigue, irritability, and trouble sleeping are actually chronic stress signs their hormones are out of balance.
2. Sugar spikes + crashes = emotional rollercoaster.
Christmas cookies + skipped meals + hot cocoa + a peppermint latte here and there…
Your blood sugar rises fast, then plummets just as quickly.
The crash creates:
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irritability
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cravings
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mood dips
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brain fog
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sudden exhaustion
It’s not that you’re “off.”
It’s that your chemistry is bouncing around like a pinball.
We’re all different. Not everyone will feel all these effects, and that’s okay.
3. Your sleep becomes shallow and interrupted.
Stress hormones don’t magically turn off when the lights go out.
They follow you into bed, disrupting deep sleep and leaving you groggy even after a full night.
4. Digestion slows when emotions speed up.
Your gut and nervous system speak the same language.
When you’re stressed, your body reroutes energy away from digestion.
Cue bloating, indigestion, irregularity, and that “ugh” feeling after meals.
5. Emotions sit right at the surface.
Joy feels bigger — but so do:
grief, loneliness, overwhelm, nostalgia, overstimulation, and the weight of unspoken expectations.
You’re not breaking down.
You’re responding exactly the way a sensitive, caring, overstretched human responds.
A Gentle Note About Fasting vs. Accidental Skipping
Earlier this year, we talked about intentional fasting — how it can help the body heal, lower insulin, and enter a calm fat-burning state.
But what happens during the holidays is not that.
Intentional fasting is:
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planned
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calm
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structured
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balanced
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supportive
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healing
Your body knows what’s happening and shifts into ketosis smoothly.
Holiday skipping meals, on the other hand, is chaotic and unintentional.
It’s running errands, forgetting to eat, drinking coffee instead of having lunch, or staying so busy your body tips into crisis mode.
When your blood sugar drops unexpectedly, your body panics and releases cortisol and adrenaline to keep you going.
That’s why accidental skipping feels like:
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shakiness
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anxiety
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irritability
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sudden hunger
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exhaustion
This isn’t healing.
It’s your body sending out a “help me” signal.
So when I recommend eating regularly during December, it’s to prevent this stress response, not to undo the benefits of purposeful fasting earlier in the year.
7 Proven Ways to Lower Stress Hormones and Enjoy the Season Again
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These habits are simple, gentle, and completely doable — especially for women who are overwhelmed and need peace more than perfection.
1. Slow Breathing: The 30-Second Reset That Calms Everything
When I feel myself tightening up, I pause and breathe:
Inhale 4 — Hold 2 — Exhale 6
That long exhale signals safety to the brain.
It tells cortisol, “You can stand down now.”
Sometimes I do this in the kitchen, sometimes in the car, sometimes in the grocery store parking lot.
It works every time.
Slow breathing is one of the quickest ways to support nervous system regulation, especially during busy holiday weeks.
A 20–30 minute walk in a green space has been shown to lower cortisol and muscle tension.” Harvard Health+1.
2. Swap One Cup of Coffee for an Herbal Tea
You don’t have to give up coffee — not at all.
Just swap one cup for something calming:
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chamomile
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peppermint
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ginger
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lemon balm
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rooibos
This tiny swap lowers cortisol, steadies your nerves, and supports digestion.
3. Take a Gentle 10-Minute Reset Walk
Not exercise.
Not power walking.
Just movement.
A simple stroll does wonders for clearing stress hormones out of the bloodstream.
It’s like hitting “refresh” on your body.
Even walking around your porch counts.
4. Eat Something Every Few Hours So Your Body Doesn’t Panic
When you unintentionally go too long without eating, your body thinks it’s in danger and pumps out stress hormones.
A small, balanced snack prevents this:
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nuts
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fruit
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yogurt
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cheese stick
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boiled egg
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whole-grain crackers
You’re not “ruining your diet.”
You’re keeping your body out of emergency mode.
Gentle movement helps your body clear out cortisol spikes before they build into full-blown overwhelm.
5. Get 5–10 Minutes of Morning Sunlight
This is one of the most powerful (and easy!) ways to rebalance cortisol.
Morning light:
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morning light may help your body unwind from stress more easily.
Stand by a window if it’s cold.
Your brain will still get the signal.
6. Protect Your Peace by Saying “No” Without Guilt
You don’t have to attend every event or say yes to every request. The holidays become overwhelming fast when we stretch ourselves too thin.
Here’s a gentle script you can use when you want to say no kindly and confidently:
“Thank you so much for thinking of me — I can’t commit this year, but I hope you have a beautiful time.”
Setting loving boundaries is one of the fastest ways to lower stress hormones and reclaim emotional space.
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7. End Your Day With a Gentle Bedtime Ritual
A bedtime routine isn’t about perfection — it’s about softness.
Try:
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dimming lights
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warm bath or shower
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herbal tea
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Scripture or gratitude
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slow breathing
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stretching
When you unwind intentionally, cortisol naturally drops, and sleep feels easier.
The Little Things That Bring Me Peace in December
Big changes are wonderful, but Christmas peace often comes from small joys:
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warm blankets
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candlelight
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soft music
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reading by the tree
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a tidy corner (even if the rest is messy!)
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grandkids’ laughter
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quiet time with Tracy
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warm drinks in cold hands
The more I lean into these moments, the calmer and more alive I feel.
These simple calm Christmas tips work even when life feels chaotic.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve a Calmer Christmas
This season isn’t about doing more.
It’s not about perfection.
It’s not about meeting everyone else’s expectations.
It’s about presence.
Peace.
Comfort.
Rest.
Joy that comes from inside, not outside.
Your wellness matters — especially now.
Your peace matters.
Your energy matters.
You matter.
If this December feels heavy, choose one small habit from this list and begin there.
Let your body know it’s safe.
Let your heart know it’s held.
Let your Christmas be calmer this year.
You deserve it — more than you know.
You deserve a season that feels peaceful, not full of emotional overwhelm holidays often bring.
