7 Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Season

This article is in partnership with Tattersall Functional Beverage Let’s be real. The holidays are supposed to be merry and bright, but sometimes they feel more frantic and fried. Between the shopping, the hosting, the travel, and the sugar rushes and crashes, our stress hormones don’t always get the memo that this season is about joy. Here’s how to actually unwind this year in body, mind, and spirit, so that you can show up as your calmest, most grounded self and actually enjoy the holiday season. 1. Keep Your Blood Sugar (and Mood) Merry and Bright When we’re stressed, cortisol spikes and so do cravings for sugar and carbs. Keeping your meals balanced with protein, fiber, and healthy fats helps stabilize blood sugar and keeps those “holiday hanger” moments in check. Make starting your day with a protein-rich breakfast a non-negotiable. Hard-boiled eggs with sliced avocado or Greek yogurt with berries and hemp seeds are two go-to easy options. You’ll have more steady energy and patience for those long checkout lines and holiday traffic. 2. Move to Manage Stress (and Digest the Cookies) You don’t need a 60-minute workout to get the mental health benefits of exercise. Even a brisk 10-minute walk after meals can help regulate blood sugar, improve digestion, and trigger endorphins that counter stress hormones. Think of movement as your emotional reset button not a punishment for indulging and you may be more motivated to get it in. This holiday season make an after lunch or dinner bundled up walk your movement and “me” time. 3. Reimagine “Happy Hour” If you love the ritual of a cocktail but not the aftereffects, consider swapping your drink for a zero-proof option that still feels special. One favorite in our holiday rotation: Tattersall Functional Beverages—non-alcoholic, THC-infused drinks made with adaptogens and electrolytes to help you enjoy without the hangover. Their Uplift blend contains adaptogens like lion’s mane and rhodiola rosea to deliver the perfect state for lightening the mood and socializing. The flexible dosing and predictable effects make it the perfect low-calorie mocktail for a festive night out or a mindful moment after a long day of hosting or holiday chaos. THC beverages are for adults 21+ and should be enjoyed responsibly — start low, sip slow, and savor the experience. 4. Protect Your Sleep Like It’s a Holiday Miracle Sleep is a pillar of a nutritious life for very good reason. Sleep is when your body restores and repairs. There will likely be some later nights out during the holidays but on those nights at home you’ll want to focus hard on your sleep hygiene. Aim to keep a semi-consistent bedtime, limit alcohol (it disrupts REM sleep), and swap your scrolling habit for something that helps your nervous system downshift such as reading or journaling. A great swap for the glass of wine while wrapping gifts is Tattersall Functional Beverages Unwind—all the zen, minus all sleep disruptions. Also, you may want to consider a sleep supporting supplement such as magnesium glycinate. 5. Choose Rituals Over Routines One of the reasons holidays feel magical as kids is because kids love rituals and traditions. As adults, we often lose that sense of intentional pause and fun. Try bringing it back in a healthy form: light candles with dinner each night, end the night with a cozy tea, or light a fire and make your holiday gift lists as a family. Small moments of mindfulness go a long way toward lowering stress. 6. Stay Connected — But Set Boundaries Connection lowers stress hormones like cortisol and boosts oxytocin, the “feel-good” hormone. But don’t confuse connection with overcommitment. Choose quality time with the people who fill your cup and give yourself permission to say no when you need to protect your energy. 7. Unwind with Intention Managing stress isn’t always about doing less during the holidays, it’s about doing what actually makes you feel good. Whether that’s a long walk, a good book, or a Tattersall Functional Beverage Unwind mocktail by the fire, make space for those moments that help you exhale. Because that’s where the real holiday magic happens, when you’re calm enough to feel it. This holiday season, skip the pressure to make it “perfect.” Instead, make it peaceful. Balance your blood sugar, protect your sleep, move your body, and find little ways to unwind that feel good — body and soul. You can go to Tattersall Functional Beverage and use the code KERI15 for a special offer. This offer is valid now through December 31, 2025. It can be used on all products except the $10 “Just Try It” box and cannot be combined with other promo codes or discounts.

Why Making Yourself a Priority Is the Secret to a More Joyful Holiday Season

By Kelly Cunningham, a licensed psychotherapist and health coach (Duke Integrative Medicine and Nutritious Life Certified) Each December, do you catch yourself saying, I’m going to be more organized and less stressed next year?  Well, this year is that year, my friends. Because this year you have these tips to help you tackle the five most common stressors of the season before they creep up on you, so you can thrive during the holidays, not just survive them.   Take control of your schedule.  “I just can’t seem to get it all done” echoes from house to house this time of year. But ‘tis the season for being in charge of your own schedule. Take a look at all your invitations from now until January 1 and empower yourself to say no to the ones that are the least important or bring you the least joy. Overcommitting your time will exhaust you.  Eat balanced meals. Some of the best parts of the holidays are centered around food. Depending on where you are in your health journey, this can bring on added stress. The trick is to be intentional and balanced about your food choices. Combine your meals with healthy carbs, fats, and proteins, and if you suspect a gathering will be light on fruits and vegetables, offer to bring them yourself. Also, important? Be careful about “saving” your calories for the party, as this can backfire and lead to overeating. Planning in advance goes a long way! RELATED: 3 Ways to Stop Emotional Eating This Holiday Season Keep conversations conflict-free. This time of year is filled with family we don’t usually see, friends of friends we don’t know well, and co-workers we wouldn’t normally socialize with. Accept that some of this will be awkward or uncomfortable, but don’t expect the worst, either. This influences your mood and behavior before the event even happens—you want to walk into every room with an open mind.   But if you do get into a bind, remind yourself that the holidays are not the time to unpack issues from your childhood or to get into heated debates that will make you feel angry. If conversations are heading in a negative direction, gently reroute the conversation or excuse yourself to catch your breath. Schedule some time for yourself. Remember your calendar with all that non-negotiable time? Add some solo time to your schedule, too. Feeling your best requires giving yourself some attention, and that means workouts for more energy and meditation to reduce stress.  Try scheduling your self-care practices and workouts in the morning, when life is less likely to interfere with them. “Doing something for yourself right from the start of your day and then having it carry through for the rest––whether you’re at work or on vacation––it makes you feel better about yourself right from the start,” as trainer Christi Marraccini told us in Morning vs. Evening Workouts: Which Is Best for You? Prioritize your mental health. The holidays aren’t always a Hallmark movie, are they? For many, they’re a reminder of lost loved ones, family feuds, and tight budgets. But you’re not alone. If you’re feeling down rather than jolly, reach out to those you love, even if you feel like isolating yourself. Surround yourself with those who will make you smile and skip the events that might bring you down. This is also an important time to keep up with therapy or support group care. Ultimately, the key to enjoying the holidays is to be aware of—and honor—your needs. Too often we get caught up with our to-do lists and hectic schedules that we fail to take care of our mental and physical health. That stops this year—consider it a very, very late New Year’s resolution. (Photo: Shutterstock)