How to Stress Less This Holiday Season (Without Adding More to Your To-Do List)

Feeling overwhelmed during the holidays? Learn simple, practical ways to reduce holiday stress, stay grounded, and protect your energy — without doing more.

The holidays are supposed to be joyful… but let’s be honest — they can also be a lot.

If you’re feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or like you’re just trying to make it through December without snapping at someone you love, you’re not alone. For many high-achieving women in leadership — be it in executive leadership or entrepeneurship — holiday stress builds quickly — especially when routines are disrupted and expectations are high. And this stress and disruption is felt even more deeply, if you’re also a neurodiverse woman with ADHD, high-functioning autism, or high-functioning anxiety.

That’s exactly why I created the video above.

Why Holiday Stress Feels So Intense

Holiday stress rarely comes out of nowhere. It’s usually the result of:

  • Packed calendars and constant social obligations

  • Family dynamics that activate old stress patterns

  • Financial pressure and end-of-year work deadlines

  • The internal pressure to make the season “perfect”

When you’re someone who already runs at a high level — especially if you have ADHD or anxiety — this combination can push your nervous system into overdrive.

The good news? Because holiday stress is predictable, it’s also something you can work with — instead of fighting against it.

What You’ll Learn in the Video

In just a few minutes, the video walks you through:

  • How to proactively reduce holiday stress before burnout hits
    Practical ways to protect your energy and capacity during a busy season.

  • What to do when your plan for a “stress-free holiday” falls apart
    Because real life will interfere — and that doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

  • Small behavioral shifts that add up to big relief
    Simple, realistic changes that can help you feel more grounded and present, even when life stays busy.

This Isn’t About Doing More

This is not a productivity hack disguised as self-care.

It’s not about optimizing your schedule or squeezing calming practices into an already overloaded day. Instead, it’s about:

  • Doing less, more intentionally

  • Letting go of unrealistic expectations

  • Creating moments of regulation and ease — even when the season is full

Reducing stress during the holidays doesn’t require a full lifestyle overhaul. It starts with small, compassionate shifts. And, from my experience, the smallest shifts weave together to create the biggest impact.

Watch: How to Stress Less This Holiday Season

You can watch the full video here → [VIDEO LINK]

I’ve also embedded it above for your convenience.

Save it to return to later, share it with a friend who’s struggling, or come back on a day when everything feels heavier than expected.

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