Every year around this time, I watch calendars start to fill up. There's Thanksgiving, school programs, church dinners, office parties, travel plans and a dozen little errands that seem to multiply overnight. I love this season, truly, but I've also learned that if I don't plan a little calm into it now, the calm doesn't show up on its own.
You're definitely not the only one feeling the squeeze. In a 2023 poll by the American Psychological Association, 89% of U.S. adults said something causes them stress during the holiday season, and about two in five said their stress goes up compared with the rest of the year. Money worries topped the list, and other common stressors included missing loved ones, having too much to do and feeling pressure to make everything special. Still, four in five described the holidays in positive terms like fun and joyous. That's the season in a nutshell, isn't it? It's wonderful and a lot, often in the same afternoon.
The good news is that a few small habits can help you keep your footing. Mayo Clinic's tips for coping with holiday stress start with planning ahead, which means setting aside specific days for shopping, baking and visiting so everything doesn't land on one frantic weekend.
Sleep is the next one to protect, and it's usually the first thing we sacrifice when the to-do list grows. The CDC recommends seven or more hours a night for most adults and notes that enough sleep can help reduce stress and improve your mood. It also suggests going to bed and getting up at the same times, turning off screens at least 30 minutes before bed, and skipping big meals, alcohol and late-day caffeine before bedtime.
Movement matters, too. Mayo Clinic suggests working regular physical activity into each day, even when the holidays try to crowd it out. It doesn't have to be fancy. A walk around the neighborhood after supper to look at the lights counts, and so does a few minutes of stretching while the coffee brews.
Then there's the hardest little word of the season. Mayo Clinic puts it plainly: "Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed." Friends and family usually understand more than we expect. You don't have to bake for every event or attend every party, and choosing a few things you'll really enjoy can make the whole season feel lighter.
Here's the habit I'd love for you to try this year: schedule your self-care like an appointment. Mayo Clinic notes that even 15 minutes alone without distractions may leave you refreshed, and getting a massage is one of the ideas on its list. When something's actually written on your calendar, it's a lot harder for the season to steamroll it.
I'll be honest about what massage can and can't do. A 2004 review of 37 randomized studies found that a single massage session reduced in-the-moment anxiety, blood pressure and heart rate, though it didn't change cortisol levels or negative mood. It's older research, and massage isn't a cure for stress. Still, for a lot of people, an hour of quiet, warm hands and no phone feels like hitting the reset button. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health adds that massage's risks appear to be low but that you shouldn't use it to put off seeing a healthcare provider. If you're feeling persistently sad or anxious, can't sleep, or feel hopeless for a while, Mayo Clinic recommends talking with your provider or a mental health professional.
Now for the practical part. My room is tucked inside a hair salon here in Palestine, and my hours are limited, so booking ahead is the easiest way to make sure you get a time that works for you. I'm open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 AM to 6 PM, and starting November 28, I'm adding Saturdays from 9 AM to 2 PM. A 60-minute massage is $80, with hot stones and aromatherapy included at no extra charge, and your first visit is $72. If you'd like massage to be a regular part of the holidays and beyond, the monthly membership is $70 for one 60-minute massage, and extra massages are $70 each. Short on time? The 30-minute foot and calf massage or scalp and shoulder massage is $45 on its own or $40 as an add-on to a longer massage. Active or retired military, first responders, teachers and medical staff get 15% off with ID, though discounts can't be combined with the first-visit price. If plans change, cancellations within 24 hours carry a $35 fee, which is waived for medical reasons. You can see open times and book on MassageBook.
So grab your calendar tonight, find one quiet hour in the weeks ahead and write your own name next to it. Somewhere around the middle of December, you're going to be awfully glad you did.
Featured photo: Anete Lusina on Pexels (Pexels License).