The holiday season is here, and if you’re anything like me, you might be feeling the familiar rush of stress creeping in. There’s the shopping, the planning, the decorating, the baking—all on top of our usual routines. It can feel like too much. And yet, every year, we manage to pull it all off. So why do we let ourselves spiral into stress when we know it always works out in the end? That’s exactly what I’m tackling in this week’s podcast episode and right here in this blog post.
I call it manufactured stress. It’s the kind of stress we create in our own minds by overthinking, catastrophizing, and letting our thoughts run wild. It’s not just the real challenges of the season—it’s the stories we tell ourselves about those challenges that turn up the pressure.
Let’s explore some practical steps to ease this stress and embrace more peace and joy during this time of year.
Step 1: Recognize Manufactured Stress
The first step to letting go of unnecessary stress is recognizing when you’re creating it. For me, this realization hit when I noticed how chaotic my thoughts were: There’s not enough time! I’ll never get everything done! What if I forget something?
Sound familiar? This inner dialogue doesn’t serve us. Instead, it’s a reminder to pause, breathe, and ask: Is this stress helping me? Spoiler: It’s not.
Once you identify the stress you’re manufacturing, you can start to shift your mindset and calm your nervous system.
Step 2: Breathe and Ground Yourself
A simple but powerful tool I use is a hand-on-heart breathing exercise. Here’s how it works:
Place your hand on your heart.
Take a deep breath in through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth (or however feels most natural).
Repeat a few times until you feel more grounded.
This practice helps bring you back to the present moment and reminds your mind and body that everything is going to be okay. It’s a small act of self-care that can make a big difference.
Step 3: Write It Down
When our to-do lists swirl endlessly in our heads, they feel much bigger than they actually are. Writing them down gives those thoughts structure and clarity. I like to make two lists: one for my immediate tasks and another for holiday-specific to-dos.
Seeing everything laid out helps me prioritize and lets my brain rest. Plus, crossing off completed tasks is so satisfying!
Step 4: Focus on What Matters Most
It’s easy to get caught up in the “extras” of the season—Pinterest-worthy decorations, perfectly wrapped gifts, or elaborate menus. But ask yourself: What’s really important? For me, it’s creating memories with my family, sharing laughter, and enjoying simple moments.
Let go of perfection and embrace good enough. Your loved ones care more about spending time with you than whether the cookies are from scratch or the tree looks Instagram-perfect.
Step 5: Use Evidence to Reassure Yourself
One of the most comforting thoughts I return to is this: It always gets done. The cookies get baked, the gifts are wrapped, and somehow, everything falls into place. If you’ve handled it before, you can handle it again. Trust in your own track record.
Step 6: Reclaim Your Joy
The holidays are meant to be a time of joy, connection, and celebration. Yet, we often lose sight of that amidst the stress. This year, I’m focusing on reclaiming my joy by:
Listening to uplifting content (like Abraham Hicks) instead of the news.
Taking intentional breaks to recharge.
Reminding myself that it’s okay to simplify and say no to things that don’t feel good.
What brings you joy? Make space for those things, even if it means letting go of less important tasks.
A Final Thought
The holidays can be overwhelming, but they don’t have to be. By recognizing and releasing manufactured stress, grounding yourself, and focusing on what truly matters, you can experience the season with more peace and presence.
So take a deep breath. You’ve got this. It’s all going to get done, and it’s okay to enjoy the process along the way. Let’s turn down the volume on stress and turn up the joy this holiday season.
If you want to hear more about how I’m navigating the holidays this year, tune into Episode 47 of Fat to Fierce®: The Confidence Chronicles. Let’s keep the conversation going and make this season one to remember—for all the right reasons.
Ready to take control of your stress and start feeling more confident in yourself? My Fat2Fierce® program is here to help. For just $99, you can start today and begin building a fierce mind, body, and heart. Join now and reclaim your power—because you deserve to feel your best, not just during the holidays, but every day. Click here to get started!
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season,
Amy
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