Holiday Stress Self-Care Tips: How to Stay Healthy (Without Adding More to Your Plate)

The holiday season is supposed to feel magical… but for many people, it feels more like juggling flaming torches while trying to hold a smile. Schedules get packed, sleep gets messy, routines fall apart, and your body often feels the impact first.

If you’ve been feeling more tense, tired, or “off” lately, you’re not doing anything wrong — this time of year simply asks a lot of us.

But here’s the good news: Small, intentional choices can make a big difference in how you feel over the next several weeks. You don’t need a big overhaul. Just a few tiny holiday stress self-care tips that support your body and help you stay grounded.

Below are a few stress-soothing, health-protective practices that I personally use and often recommend to clients — especially when life feels full.

5 Holiday Stress Self-Care Tips

1. Listen to your body.

2. Move more in the simplest possible ways.

3. Create a daily anchor moment.

4. Let "good enough" be good enough.

5. Take a breath when you're feeling overwhelmed.

If you feel like you need a lot more help than that, it's time to schedule a massage appointment. Holiday stress makes it easy to miss the whispers, and if you’re noticing more tension or discomfort, this is actually really normal. I wrote more about how stress shows up in the body (and how massage helps) in my post on Massage Therapy for Stress and Pain.

1. Listen to Your Body’s Early Signals

Your body whispers before it yells.

Holiday stress makes it easy to miss the whispers:

• That tightness in your shoulders

• Shallow breathing

• Feeling mentally scattered

• A sense of rushing, even when you’re not

  
  

Take 10 seconds (literally) to pause and check in:

What feels tense? What feels tired? What needs attention?

This simple act of noticing helps your nervous system slow down. It’s a small practice that creates a big shift — and it’s one of the foundations of staying healthy through busy seasons.

2. Move Your Body in the Simplest Possible Way

You don’t need a workout plan or gym membership to support your body right now. Just aim for a little more natural movement throughout your day:

• A short walk between tasks

• Standing and stretching your arms overhead

• A few gentle neck circles

• Rolling your ankles while waiting for water to boil

  
  

These micro-movements help loosen stiffness, reduce stress hormones, and improve circulation. Think of them as tiny investments in feeling better tomorrow.

3. Give Yourself One “Anchor Moment” Each Day

Choose a single action that brings you back to yourself. Something you can rely on even when the day gets chaotic. Ideas include:

• A slow cup of tea

• Lighting a candle while you breathe for one minute

• A walk outside

• Five deep breaths before bed

  
  

Your anchor moment doesn’t need to be profound. It just needs to remind your body, “I’m here. I’m okay.” The more the holidays ramp up, the more these moments matter.

4. Let “Good Enough” Be Good Enough

This is the season where people try to do everything perfectly — and end up feeling drained.

Here’s a better approach: Decide what truly matters and let the rest be easier.

Good enough gifts. Good enough meals. Good enough decorations. Good enough expectations.

Your energy is a limited resource. Protecting it is part of staying healthy.

5. When You Feel Overwhelmed, Do This One Thing

If you start feeling frazzled, try this quick reset:

1. Place one hand on your chest.

2. Inhale through your nose for four seconds.

3. Exhale slowly for six.

4. Repeat three times.

   
   

This helps shift your body out of stress mode and into a calmer, steadier state.

It’s simple. It works. And you can do it anywhere — in your car, in the grocery store line, even at a family gathering.

Feeling Off Track? You're Not Alone.

Most people struggle to stay consistent with healthy habits this time of year. It’s normal. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s staying aware and making small choices that help you feel better, not worse.

If you’re craving a little more structure or encouragement this season, you’re not alone. Many people find this time of year derails even their best intentions.

If you’d like support, I offer a simple Accountability Program designed to help you follow through on the things that matter most to you.

You don’t have to push through the holidays on willpower alone — I’m here to help.