Holiday Stress & Your Nervous System: Why December Hits Harder Than You Think

December is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many people in Colleyville, Southlake, Keller, and the Mid-Cities, it’s also the most stressful. Between travel, disrupted routines, late nights, family gatherings, and endless to-do lists, your nervous system ends up carrying a much bigger weight than you may realize.

At Radiant Chiropractic, we see a surge of patients this time of year — not because people “get hurt more,” but because their nervous system becomes overwhelmed. And when the system that controls everything is stressed, everything else feels harder.

Let’s break down why December hits so hard and how supporting your nervous system can help you move through the holiday season with more calm, energy, and resilience.

1. Your Routine Disappears — And Your Nervous System Notices

Your nervous system thrives on predictability.
December throws that out the window.

• Later nights

• Schedule changes

• Kids home from school

• Work deadlines

• Holiday events every weekend

• Inconsistent meals

When your routine gets disrupted, your body shifts into a more reactive, sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state. That shows up as:

• feeling “on edge”

• poor focus

• neck or shoulder tension

• headaches

• trouble staying asleep

Even if you’re not “stressed,” your nervous system is doing more behind the scenes.

2. Travel Takes a Bigger Toll Than You Think

Whether you’re flying out of DFW or taking long car rides, travel stacks stress on your system:

• sitting for long periods

• dehydration

• poor sleep

• carrying luggage

• uncomfortable positions

• time-zone shifts

• disruption in movement patterns

It’s no surprise many people feel tight, sore, or “off” after travel. Your spine and nervous system take the hit first.

3. Screen Time Quietly Spikes in December

Between work deadlines, online shopping, holiday movies, and kids on break, screen time jumps — especially with colder weather.

Screens increase:

• forward head posture

• eye strain

• neck tension

• overstimulation

• disrupted circadian rhythm

Which leads straight into…

4. Sleep Suffers (And Recovery Drops)

Late nights, blue light, irregular routines, and holiday events mean your body gets fewer hours of high-quality sleep.

Poor sleep = a less adaptable nervous system.

It affects:

• mood

• immunity

• recovery

• digestion

• energy levels

• decision-making

When your nervous system can’t recover overnight, everything else gets harder.

5. Diet & Sugar Load Spike — More Than We Admit

Holiday meals, snacks at the office, late-night treats, and “just one more cookie” moments all add up.

More sugar + less nutrient-dense foods = inflammation, blood-sugar swings, and increased stress on your system.

This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the holidays — it just means your body is working harder to keep up.

6. Immune System Load Rises

More time indoors
More travel
More social gatherings
More stress
Less sleep

…all contribute to increased immune demand in December.

Your nervous system directly influences how well your body coordinates immune responses. When it’s overwhelmed, immune efficiency drops.

7. Physical Activity Takes a Dip

Even active adults in Colleyville find themselves:

• skipping workouts

• walking less

• sitting more

• traveling

• losing momentum

Less movement = more stiffness, more tension, and less circulation — all affecting your spine and overall function.

Why Chiropractic Helps During the Holidays

Chiropractic adjustments don’t “treat holiday stress,” but they do support the system that manages your stress — your nervous system.

Patients often tell us that during December they:

• sleep better

• feel less tense

• handle stress more easily

• notice fewer headaches

• move with less stiffness

• recover better from travel

• keep their routines on track

Adjustments help your body shift out of the “stressed and stuck” state and into a better rhythm where it can adapt, recover, and function the way it’s designed.

Simple Ways to Support Your Nervous System This December

1. Get 5–10 minutes of morning sunlight
Natural light early in the day helps regulate your circadian rhythm, boost your energy, and improve sleep quality later at night. Even stepping outside while you drink your coffee makes a difference.

2. Go for a 10–15 minute daily walk (preferably outdoors)
Movement is one of the easiest ways to calm a stressed nervous system. A short walk improves circulation, resets posture, increases oxygen, and gives your brain a break from screens.

3. Stick to a consistent wake/sleep window
Your body thrives on rhythm. Going to bed and waking up around the same time keeps your hormones, mood, digestion, and recovery more stable — even when the holidays get busy.

4. Hydrate more than you think you need
Aim for half your bodyweight in ounces daily. Between travel, dry indoor air, and increased sugar/salty foods, your body loses more hydration in December than it realizes. Proper hydration supports energy, focus, spinal discs, and overall nervous system function.

5. Limit nighttime screen time when possible
Screens delay melatonin and overstimulate the brain. Try:

• putting devices away an hour before bed

• turning on “Night Shift” or “Blue Light Filter”

• using warm lights or lamps instead of bright overhead lighting

• wearing blue-light blocking glasses in the evening

  ~Small changes here significantly improve sleep and recovery.~

6. Stretch after travel days
Travel = sitting, carrying luggage, awkward positions, and long periods of immobility. A short stretch session (hips, low back, neck, shoulders) helps reduce tension and keeps your spine from stiffening up.

7. Prioritize protein at meals
Protein helps stabilize blood sugar, support immune function, and maintain energy — all things your nervous system relies on. Adding a quality protein source to each meal goes a long way during high-stress seasons.

8. Schedule time for rest — not just events
December fills up fast. If you don’t plan downtime intentionally, it won’t happen. Protecting your energy (and your sanity) gives your nervous system the chance to reset and recover.

9. Check your posture during screen time
Try a simple 10-second posture reset:
shoulders back → chin neutral → deep breath in → slow breath out
This reduces tension in the neck and upper back and helps your nervous system shift out of “fight-or-flight” mode.

10. Get your nervous system checked (highly recommended)
Chiropractic adjustments help your body adapt to stress, move better, and recover more efficiently. During the holidays — when your system is pulled in every direction — it’s one of the simplest ways to support your overall function and resilience.

Bottom Line:

Small, intentional habits create a big difference in how your body handles December. A little consistency goes a long way — especially when stress, travel, family, and routine changes are all happening at once.

Serving Colleyville, Southlake, Keller & the Mid-Cities This Holiday Season

If you’ve been feeling tense, tired, overwhelmed, or like your body is working overtime this month, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to push through it.

Radiant Chiropractic is here to help you reset, recover, and get your nervous system back on track.

📍 Located on Precinct Line Road in Colleyville
🗓 New patient holiday special: $49 for your consultation, exam + first adjustment
💬 Call: (817) 500-9494 or Text: (817) 532-1444
🔗 Book online: https://www.radiantchirotx.com/get-started