Your Pre-Holiday Stress Audit
Believe it or not the holiday season is right around the corner. While the holiday season is a time for family and tradition, let’s be honest there is also a lot of hustle. Between school events, work deadlines, and endless to-do lists, stress can sneak in and steal your joy before you even light the first candle. But here’s the good news: not all stress is bad. In fact, some stress—like a great workout or learning a new skill—can help us grow stronger.
The key is to know where stress is coming from and how it’s affecting you so you can respond, not just react. Let’s walk through a simple “stress inventory” to help you and your family head into the holidays more grounded and resilient.
1️⃣ Physical Stress: What Your Body Feels
Physical stress can be obvious (poor sleep, headaches, tight shoulders) or hidden (blood-sugar swings, inflammation). Exercise is a positive stressor when done in balance, strengthening your body and releasing mood-boosting endorphins.
Take inventory:
Are you getting enough movement—but not overdoing it?
How’s your sleep quality and energy throughout the day?
Do you notice frequent aches, digestive issues, or frequent illnesses?
Support Tips:
Prioritize consistent movement you enjoy: walks, stretching, light strength training. NOTE: Be wary of too many high intensity workouts if you are feeling over stressed, instead focus on consistency over intensity.
Aim for a steady bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends to support your circadian rhythms.
Schedule a neurologically-focused chiropractic adjustment to help your nervous system adapt and recover from the unavoidable stress.
2️⃣ Mental & Emotional Stress: What Your Mind Carries
Mental stress shows up as racing thoughts, irritability, or that feeling of “always on.” If you are exhausted all day and then wired at night it means your mental and emotional load is too heavy.
Take inventory:
Are you able to slow down and enjoy quiet moments?
Do you find yourself more forgetful or easily overwhelmed?
Are anxiety or mood swings creeping in?
Support Tips:
Create small, daily “pauses” — 5 minutes of deep breathing, journaling, or prayer. Especially, first thing in the morning and before you go to sleep to find your center.
Set realistic holiday expectations and say “no” when needed. “No” is a full sentence, make sure to fill your cup first.
Consider mindfulness apps or short guided meditations with your kids to model calm.
3️⃣ Environmental Stress: What Surrounds You
Your surroundings impact your nervous system more than you might realize—noise, clutter, and even chemical exposures can keep the body in fight-or-flight.
Take inventory:
How organized (or chaotic) is your home environment?
Are you frequently exposed to loud sounds, screens, or strong chemical scents?
Do you spend enough time outside in natural light and fresh air?
Support Tips:
Swap your favorite pumpkin candle for something low-tox to decrease toxic exposure while still enjoying the holidays.
Limit evening screen time to let melatonin rise naturally or utilize blue blockers after dark when they can’t be avoided.
Get outside every morning for natural light to support circadian rhythm. Aim for at least 10 minutes of sunlight in the morning to reset.
Chiropractic Care: Your Stress Reset
Your nervous system is the master control center for all three areas of stress. Gentle, neurologically-focused chiropractic adjustments help shift your body from “fight-or-flight” to the calming “rest-and-digest” mode, improving sleep, focus, and overall resilience.
If you feel like your stress is unrelenting—despite healthy habits—your cortisol rhythm may be off. Our Daily Cortisol Pattern Test offers a clear picture of how your body manages stress and energy throughout the day.
Tracks cortisol levels morning to night
Identifies adrenal fatigue or burnout
Highlights imbalances in your sleep–wake cycle
Ask us about this simple, non-invasive test if you suspect your stress patterns are out of sync. Pairing these results with a personalized care plan can help restore balance before the busy holiday rush.
Bottom Line
Not all stress is harmful, but unmanaged stress can affect your health and your family’s well-being. By taking inventory of your physical, mental, and environmental stressors—and supporting your nervous system—you can move through the holidays with more calm, clarity, and joy.
💛 Ready to find your calm?
Schedule a chiropractic adjustment or ask about our Daily Cortisol Pattern Test at your next appointment. Let’s make this holiday season one of connection, not chaos.