14 Simple Ways To Reduce Holiday Stress

Ah, the holidays…

The music, the twinkling lights, the cozy gatherings — and for many of us, the stress that sneaks in right alongside the magic. Between full calendars, family expectations, travel, shopping, and the pressure to make everything “just right,” it’s no wonder our nervous systems start to feel overloaded this time of year.

But here’s the good news: you can reduce holiday stress in simple, realistic ways — and enjoy the season without feeling overwhelmed or stretched too thin. Small shifts in routine, boundaries, and self-care can make a huge difference, especially in midlife when your energy, hormones, and mental bandwidth matter more than ever.

I’ve pulled together 14 simple stress-busters to help you protect your peace, support your well-being, and truly savor the joy of the season.

Let’s make this year feel a little calmer, a little lighter, and a whole lot brighter.

Check Out These 14 Simple Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress:

Sniff for Serenity

Citrus scents like lemon and orange have been shown to alleviate feelings of stress while boosting well-being by increasing levels of norepinephrine, the hormone that affects our mood. Try slicing up some citrus and take a deep whiff before adding it to your H2O, or rub a citrus essential oil on your wrists and take deep breathes of the scent throughout the day!

Take a Walk

Getting outside for a walk is not only good for your physical self, but great for mind and spirit too! The subtle rhythm and repetition of our stride has been linked to positive impacts on the brain, decreasing anxiety and enhancing sleep. So lace up and head outdoors (rain or shine!) and soak up some mind, body and spirit benefits!

Release It

Did you know that in traditional Chinese medicine there’s a pressure point between your index finger and thumb — called the “hoku” spot — believed to help reduce stress and anxiety? By applying firm pressure for about 30 seconds while taking slow, intentional breaths, you can help release tension throughout your upper body and calm your nervous system.

It’s a simple grounding practice you can use anytime holiday stress (or midlife stress!) starts to build — whether you’re in the car, waiting in line, or trying to unwind before bed. Sometimes the smallest techniques can create the biggest sense of calm.

Give Yourself Permission

It’s so easy to get swept up in the holiday hustle — saying yes to every event, every request, every task, all while trying to keep up with normal life. Before you know it, you’re cooking more, shopping more, running from place to place, and stretching yourself way too thin.

But here’s the truth: you’re allowed to prioritize what matters most to you. Saying yes to everything often means saying no to your own energy, peace, and well-being — especially in midlife, when your body and nervous system need more support, not more pressure.

Give yourself permission to choose what aligns, bow out of what drains you, and create a holiday season that feels balanced and enjoyable. Healthy boundaries are part of healthy habits.

Honor Your Routines

The holidays arrive, and suddenly our daily routine disappears faster than a hot potato. But staying connected to your regular habits is one of the best ways to manage stress — especially in midlife, when structure, sleep, and stability matter more than ever.

Your routine anchors you. It gives you healthy coping tools, activities you genuinely look forward to, and a sense of control in an otherwise busy season. So keep showing up for the things that make you feel grounded: hit the gym, go to book club, walk your furry friend, and nourish your body with meals that help you feel and function your best.

Your mind and body will thank you for the consistency.

Move Your Body

You’ve heard it a thousand times — exercise isn’t just good for your body, it’s powerful for your mind. Movement boosts mood, calms stress, sharpens focus, and studies show those feel-good effects can last up to 12 hours after your workout. That’s half a day of better energy and a brighter outlook, from just a little movement.

And here’s something even better: exercising with others multiplies the benefits. Whether it’s a walk with a friend, a group fitness class, or meeting a neighbor for a quick workout, moving together increases motivation, boosts accountability, and enhances feelings of connection — something especially important in midlife when stress, loneliness, or routine changes can creep in.

So why wouldn’t you make time for that walk, bike ride, strength session, or yoga routine? Your body, your brain, and your mood will all thank you.

Try Something New

The holiday season can be a beautiful time — but it can also stir up feelings of loneliness, grief, or the ache of missing loved ones. When everyone around you seems wrapped in joy and celebration, it’s hard not to feel like you’re “out of sync” with the picture-perfect version the movies and music portray.

This is a powerful moment to create new traditions that lift your spirits and remind you of the connection, joy, and gratitude still present in your life. Try hosting a Friendsgiving, planning an ugly-sweater party, starting a recipe exchange, or exploring a new place where you can meet new people and make fresh memories.

These simple acts of trying something new can shift your focus toward what you have — community, joy, moments of laughter — rather than what you may be missing.

Unplug To Reconnect

In our constantly connected world, we’re more accessible than ever. Between email, texts, and social media, news and notifications hit us within seconds. And while staying connected can feel convenient, this nonstop stimulation keeps our brains in a low-level “fight or flight” state — raising stress, disrupting focus, and draining our energy (something midlife women feel even more intensely).

Give yourself permission to log off and be present. Set your phone aside and reconnect with the world right in front of you — play a game with the kids, snuggle your furry companion, enjoy a real conversation, take a stroll to see holiday lights, or curl up with a good book.

Unplugging isn’t about missing out. It’s about creating the calm, connection, and mental clarity your midlife mind and body truly need. We all have to unplug sometimes… so we can plug back in feeling grounded and restored.

Give Back

Now is a great time to volunteer, giving time at a local homeless shelter, school, senior center, food bank, or pet shelter. When we step outside of ourselves and do something for others we are subtly reminded of all we have to be grateful for while also leading with a kind and generous foot. Positivity is contagious, when you brighten someone else's day you will also add a little joy to your own!

Kickstart Your Day

Too many women start their day with nothing but caffeine, which sends blood sugar on a roller coaster — leading to irritability, sluggish energy, cravings, and foggy focus (especially in midlife when our hormones amplify these dips). Instead, begin your morning with a balanced mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbs. Think whole-grain toast with nut butter and banana, or Greek yogurt topped with berries and walnuts. This small shift steadies your blood sugar, boosts mood, and supports steady energy and productivity all morning long.

Give Yourself a Tune Up

Most of us love music. It can stir up happy memories, help us to relax, energize and lift us up, make us want to dance, and just make us feel good. Not surprisingly listening to music has been shown to relax blood vessels and increase blood flow, inducing a sense of calm within the body.

The next time you're feeling a bit down or anxious try putting on your favorite playlist and rock on (or zen out).

Shift Your Perspective

The mind is powerful — beautifully complex, sometimes overwhelming, and always influential. Just as negative thoughts can pull us into a spiral, positive thoughts can lift us up and shift our entire outlook. It’s one of the many reasons building a gratitude practice is so impactful, especially in midlife when life feels full, demanding, and ever-changing.

Choosing to notice what is going well — the blessings, the small wins, the moments of joy — helps anchor you in perspective. No one’s life is all good or all bad, but where you place your attention shapes how you feel each day.

When you focus on the good, you naturally feel more optimistic, grounded, and capable. And from that mindset, you’re better prepared to handle whatever bumps appear along the road. Gratitude doesn’t erase challenges… it simply strengthens you for the journey.

Play More

Channel your inner child and go build a snowman, start a snowball fight, do some holiday crafting, or whip up a tasty holiday treat! Getting creative releases “feel good” hormones, which makes it pretty hard not to smile. Not sure where to start? Check out Pinterest for some fun craft ideas, pick up a holiday magazine and explore some festive recipes, crafting and decorating ideas, or take a day drive up to the mountains and play in the snow!

Re-Discover the Joy

Ask yourself what you find most enjoyable during the holiday season:

• The sights, sounds and smells?

• Holiday music?

• Decorations and lights?

• Festive foods and seasonal flavors?

• Time spent with family and friends?

• Carrying on or starting up a new tradition?

• Visiting new places and creating new memories?

Want more simple tips that make healthier living feel simple, doable and sustainable?

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