10 Simple Ways to Support Your Nervous System This Holiday Season

Seasons Greetings!

It’s that time of the year…trees are decorated, presents are being wrapped, twinkly lights illuminate the night sky, and many of us jump from one holiday party to the next. The holiday season can be filled with such joy and nostalgia, reminding us of simple pleasures like a warm cup of hot cocoa by the fire.

But sometimes, the holidays can also feel a bit overwhelming. Busy schedules, gatherings, and expectations can add stress to the nervous system affecting our energy, mood, and overall well-being. 

As a massage therapist, I often notice clients feeling the effects of holiday stress in their bodies - tense shoulders, low back pain, sluggishness, the list goes on. Fortunately, there are many simple, supportive practices that we can incorporate into this season of life that can help the body find calm again. 

Supporting our nervous system doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a list of my top 10 favorite ways to navigate the holiday season with greater ease. 

1. Create a Small Daily Ritual

   Even 5 minutes of calm and quiet each day helps shift your body out of fight-or-flight and into rest-and-digest. Try reading, journaling, sitting with a cup of tea, or enjoying your favorite music.

   
   

2. Move Your Body Gently

   Slow, intentional movement like stretching, yoga, or a relaxing walk can regulate cortisol, release built-up tension, and support overall nervous system resilience.

   
   

3. Nourish with Balanced Meals & Hydration

   Holidays can throw routines off. Enjoy those cookies, for sure! But also, remember to stay hydrated and eat balanced meals to support stable blood sugar, which directly impacts nervous system regulation and mood.

   
   

4. Limit Sensory Overload

   The holidays can be loud, crowded, and bright. Give your senses breaks by dimming lights, lowering background noise, stepping outside for fresh air, or using noise-reducing headphones in stimulating environments.

   
   

5. Practice Gratitude

   Taking a moment each day to notice what you’re thankful for - big or small - can shift your nervous system toward calm. Gratitude supports emotional balance, eases stress, and helps your mind settle during a busy season.

   
   

6. Prioritize Rest & Sleep

   Your nervous system repairs and resets during sleep. Creating a calming nighttime routine like taking a warm shower, lighting a candle, and drinking a cup of herbal tea can help you drift off more easily during busy weeks.

7. Try Aromatherapy or Calming Scents

   Using essential oils like lavender, chamomile, or eucalyptus (in a diffuser, diluted roll-on, or room spray) can help calm the nervous system, ease tension, and create a soothing environment during the holiday rush.

8. Give Meditation a Try

   Even a few minutes of meditation can help settle the mind and soothe the nervous system. You don’t need anything fancy - just sit comfortably, focus on your breath, and gently guide your attention back whenever it wanders. Guided meditations, apps, or simple quiet moments can all help create a sense of grounding during the holiday rush and bring you back into your body.

9. Utilize Deep Breathing Techniques

   Slow, intentional breathing can quickly shift your body out of stress mode and into a state of calm. Techniques like box breathing, deep diaphragmatic breathing, or simply taking slow breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth can help regulate the nervous system, lower tension, and bring you back to the present moment.

Check out our social media pages to view our series on Breathing Techniques!

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10. Schedule a Therapeutic Massage or Manual Lymphatic Drainage Session

    Booking a therapeutic massage or manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) session can be a powerful way to calm the nervous system. These gentle, supportive therapies help release tension, reduce stress hormones, improve circulation, support the immune system, and encourage your body to settle into a state of deep relaxation which can be especially helpful during the busy holiday season.

If you have a favorite routine or tip for staying calm during the holidays, leave a comment on the blog. I’d love to hear from you!

Wishing you all a warm, peaceful, and blessed holiday season. 

About Lynneah

Lynneah Smith is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist, Registered Yoga Teacher, and Owner of Abundant Life Wellness, LLC. She is a hospice/palliative care and oncology trained LMT as well as a trained End-of-Life Doula. Lynneah believes in the ability of compassionate touch to support the body, mind, and spirit through every stage of life.