How I Help Busy Moms Regulate Stress During the Holidays

December looks festive on the calendar, but for most busy moms it is one of the most demanding months of the year.

More food, travel, and social logistics.

Less sleep.

Less recovery.

When I work with clients during this season, the pattern is consistent:

Energy drops.

Patience gets shorter.

Stress feels constant, even on “good” days.

And many say, “I don’t feel like myself.”

That is not a motivation issue.

It is a nervous system under sustained demand issue.

What’s Actually Happening (And Why Willpower Is Not the Answer)

Stress is not just emotional. It is physiological.

When demands increase without enough recovery, the nervous system stays in a low-grade fight-or-flight state. That impacts sleep, hunger cues, patience, digestion, and the ability to make good decisions consistently.

This is why simply “trying harder” during the holidays rarely works.

The goal is not to eliminate stress. It is to reduce unnecessary stress and support the body so it can handle what is already required.

How I Coach Busy Moms to Support Their Nervous System (Without Adding More Work)

All of these recommendations are intentionally simple. If it cannot fit into real life, it does not make the cut.

Start the day before everyone needs you.

Even five to ten quiet minutes matters. Prayer, scripture, or sitting with coffee without a phone helps set a calmer baseline for the entire day.

Anchor the morning with strength training and daylight.

A short circuit and stepping outside early support more stable energy and mood as the day unfolds.

Do not skip meals or under-eat protein.

Many moms run on caffeine. That keeps blood sugar unstable and stress hormones elevated. A protein-forward breakfast is one of the fastest ways to feel more steady and less reactive.

Use breathing as a reset.

Before or after gatherings, slow breathing helps signal safety to the nervous system. Inhale for 4 seconds. Exhale for 6-8 seconds. 2-3 minutes is enough.

Step away when needed without guilt.

A few minutes outside, in a bedroom, or even in the bathroom is not avoidance. It is regulation.

Say no strategically.

Not every invitation deserves a yes. One fewer commitment often means better sleep, better mood, and more patience at home.

Delegate whenever possible.

Sharing responsibility lowers stress and usually improves the experience for everyone involved.

What I Remind Clients During This Season

You do not need a perfect routine.

You do not need to earn rest.

Pick 1 or 2 supports that make your days feel slightly easier and do them consistently.

This is the work behind sustainable health.

This is how stress is managed without burnout.

And this is exactly the kind of support I provide inside MKH - not rigid plans, but accountability and structure that actually fit real life.

– Mailoha