And why November is the month that matters most
The holidays are painted as a season filled with joy, magic, and connection. But if we are being honest, most of us feel something very different: pressure, overwhelm, exhaustion, and a nervous system that is silently screaming for a break.
What many people don’t realize is that holiday burnout doesn’t start in December.
It starts right now – in November.
Why November is the tipping point
As the days get shorter and colder, our bodies naturally shift into energy conservation mode. We are biologically wired to slow down – to rest more, reflect more, and simplify.
But life doesn’t follow that rhythm anymore.
Instead, November becomes:
- A race to prepare for the holidays
- A rising pressure to show up for traditions
- Extra spending and financial stress
- More events, more commitments, more expectations
Your nervous system is caught between what it needs… and what the world demands.
The nervous system response nobody talks about
When your to-do list gets longer and you push ahead anyway, your body shifts into stress physiology:
- Cortisol rises
- Sleep quality drops
- Irritability increases
- Creativity and patience decline
- Your immune system weakens
This is why people get sick right before the holidays – their system is depleted long before the celebrations begin.
A new approach: prevent the crash
Imagine entering December feeling calm, supported, energized, and ready to enjoy the magic – instead of dragging yourself through it.
Here are three simple shifts that make a huge impact:
1. Choose one tradition to protect and one to release
You are allowed to evolve what the holidays look like.
Let go of the expectations that drain you.
2. Build in space now
A weekly “nothing night”, a quiet morning ritual, or a slower Sunday — this is nervous system gold.
3. Get curious about what you need
Ask yourself:
- More energy?
- More peace?
- More connection?
- More support?
Your answers are a compass toward a healthier season.
You are not behind – you are being asked to listen
When you feel more tired in November, it doesn’t mean you are failing.
It means your body is trying to help you.
Slow down.
Take a breath.
Lighten the load before it becomes too heavy.
You deserve a holiday season that feels good.
And that starts with the choices you make right now.