The busyness of the upcoming holiday season puts unusual pressure on the nervous system. Travel, social commitments, richer food, later nights and the general pace of December all stack up. What feels like “being on edge” is often an overactive, stress response paired with a brain that struggles to shift gears and to rest.

Add to that, as we age, this transition from high alert to calm becomes less efficient, making it harder to unwind or fall asleep when the day finally slows down.

How stress shows up during the holidays.

When the body stays in a sympathetic state, cortisol remains elevated and the nervous system becomes less responsive to the usual signals that promote calm. This is why people notice racing thoughts at night, shallow sleep or waking up unrefreshed even when they have spent enough hours in bed. The brain depends on a circadian balance between our sympathetic (Fight and Flight) and our parasympathetic (Rest and Digest) systems. Healthy GABA signalling and stable stress pathways to make that transition from tension to relaxation.

Why does it feel sleep gets harder? Holiday patterns tend to disrupt the natural cues that help the brain wind down. Bright lights, late meals, stimulation and irregular schedules all interfere with sleep onset. You may reach for a nightcap to relax, but alcohol temporarily sedates while disrupting the deeper stages of sleep. The result is lighter rest, more overnight wake ups and grogginess the next morning. Supporting the brains calming pathways directly provides a more reliable route to restorative sleep.

Simple routines to help restore calm

Especially at this time of year. I like having  tools that work with the body rather than against it. Magnesium may help with sleep by calming the nervous system, regulating neurotransmitters like GABA (the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, vital for promoting relaxation and sleep by slowing down nerve cell activity) and supporting melatonin production, potentially reducing anxiety and muscle tension for better relaxation and sleep quality, with forms like glycinate often recommended for sleep. 

Why Magnesium?

Calms the Nervous System: It blocks stimulating neurotransmitters and boosts calming ones like GABA, slowing nerve signals for relaxation.

Regulates Melatonin: It’s involved in producing melatonin, the hormone controlling sleep-wake cycles.

Reduces Anxiety & Muscle Tension: By promoting relaxation, it can ease stress-related sleep problems.

Food sources include Leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains, dairy, and soy.

When it’s necessary to supplement, I prefer Superdose Liposomal Mag 7, its high bioavailability is due to the use of advanced liquid liposomes,(wrapping ingredients in organic, non-GMO sunflower lecithin “bubbles”) which are designed for up to five times better absorption than regular magnesium supplements, ensuring efficient uptake, making it a good option for those with sensitive digestive tracts who may struggle with traditional tablets or powders. Superdose Magnesium combines seven forms of magnesium (malate, lactate, citrate, biglycinate, taurate, ascorbate, and chloride), and is intended to provide comprehensive support for overall health. It is beneficial for supporting quality sleep, enhancing relaxation, and helping to quieten the nervous system, potentially aiding de-stressing.

I also will recommend Glutathione, especially because of its effects on GABA

Glutathione is actually crucial for overall brain health; its depletion can impact neurotransmitter systems, including GABA, it can directly trigger GABA release in certain cells via specific receptors, affecting the inhibitory balance. While GSH’s primary job is antioxidant defence, it actively supports GABA function by managing oxidative stress. Essentially, Glutathione helps manage the oxidative environment that GABA operates within, influencing overall  health and neurotransmitter balance.

Glutathione food sources include vegetables like asparagus, spinach, broccoli, and avocado, which contain it directly. Other beneficial foods are rich in sulphur (like garlic and onions), vitamins, or amino acids needed for glutathione production, such as citrus fruits, bell peppers, eggs, and nuts.

Once again, I love Superdose Liposomal Glutathione, with added Selenium (remembering that NZ soils are known to be deficient in selenium and it is a vital trace element for overall health) & Vitamin C for amplified effects against oxidative stress and cellular aging. One caution: Glutathione is usually poorly absorbed orally; Superdose liposomes (those tiny fat bubbles from sunflowers) encapsulate it, mimicking cell membranes for rapid, efficient delivery.

A Key Lifestyle Factor That Helps:

Always, I will talk to you about your sleep/wake routine, including (surprisingly for some) advising you to expose your eyes to early morning sun. Getting early morning sunlight is crucial for sleep because it sets your internal body clock, signalling wakefulness, boosting daytime alertness, , leading to deeper sleep, easier sleep onset, and more consistent rest. Morning light is one of the best ways to reset your Circadian: Morning light hits your eyes, signalling the brain’s master clock (SCN) that it’s daytime, which aligns your entire 24-hour cycle. This triggers a healthy rise in the energy hormone cortisol, helping you feel alert and ready for the day. It also sets an internal timer, ensuring your body waits about 14-16 hours before starting melatonin production for sleep. This means better sleep quality: more deep sleep time and overall sleep efficiency; Fewer night wakings which means less fragmented sleep. It also helps reduce the time it takes to fall asleep (sleep latency).

Aim for 10-30 minutes outdoors, ideally within the first hour of waking, for better mood and overall health. I also recommend morning sun because when the sun is lower in the sky, its rays travel through more of the atmosphere. This atmospheric layer filters out more UV radiation, and we can safely absorb the benefits from the visible  wavelengths (red, infrared, longer wavelengths) without UV damage

Parasympathetic System Reset

My CS&W Sculpt Treatment also features fascia massage that stimulates the vagus nerve by releasing physical tension in connective tissues and muscles, this helps to shift the body from the “fight or flight” state to the “rest and digest” state. The vagus nerve runs through various fascia areas, including the neck, chest, and diaphragm. Fascia is rich in sensory nerve endings, including some connected to the vagus nerve. When fascia becomes tight or restricted due to stress or injury, it can interfere with the nerve’s function. Specific massage techniques, such as Sculpt work on fascia release. When I target areas like the face, neck, upper chest and postural muscles, this helps unstick and soften restricted fascia. By releasing tension, this activates the parasympathetic nervous, counteracting the sympathetic nervous system’s stress response.

For me, these function as a holiday stress and sleep allies. They help quiet mental chatter without sedation, support smoother sleep onset, and  helps avoid  sleep disruption

When the season gets busy, having something consistent helps keep the nervous system steady. So, get some morning sun consistently, take your supplements consistently and treat yourself to a restorative Sculpt facial at Curated Skin and Wellness, or purchase a gift voucher for someone you love to help them navigate the holiday stress season.