The holidays brought joy, connection and memorable moments—and now, as we step into 2026, you have a fresh opportunity to focus on yourself. After weeks of celebrations, late nights and packed schedules, your body deserves some attention and care. This is the perfect time to understand how seasonal stress affects your wellbeing and discover simple, effective ways to reset, recharge and start the year feeling your best.
Stress isn't just a feeling—it's a full-body experience with measurable physiological effects. When you're under pressure, your body activates the stress response, flooding your system with hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. While this response is designed to help you handle short-term challenges, chronic or prolonged stress—like what many experience during the holiday season—can take a serious toll.
Health Canada confirms that severe stress can cause biochemical changes in the body, affecting the immune system and increasing likelihood of some diseases. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada warns that too much stress increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, while Canadian research shows it can disrupt your heart health, hormone balance and immune function. Long-term stress also increases the risk of anxiety, depression, sleep problems, substance use problems, pain and bodily complaints.
The bottom line? That post-holiday exhaustion isn't in your head—it's in your entire body.
The good news is that your body has an incredible capacity to recover and rebalance. Here are evidence-based strategies to help you reset in the new year:
1. Prioritize sleep
Sleep is your body's primary recovery tool. Most adults need seven or eight hours per night. It also helps to establish a consistent sleep schedule—even on weekends. Create a calming bedtime routine and limit screen time an hour before bed to help your body wind down naturally.
2. Rebalance your nutrition
After weeks of indulgent meals, it’s natural for your body to crave lighter, nutrient-rich options. Focus on:
Looking for personalized nutrition support? Our registered dietitians can help you develop an eating plan that fits your lifestyle and supports your health goals.
3. Move your body gently
You don't need to jump into intense workouts. Start with gentle movement like walks, yoga, or stretching. Movement helps reduce cortisol levels, improves mood, and restores energy without adding more stress to your system.
Want expert guidance on movement? Our kinesiologists can create a personalized exercise program tailored to your fitness level, or work with you one-on-one to help you build sustainable, healthy habits.
4. Support your mental health
Stress affects your mind as much as your body. Practice stress-reduction techniques like:
5. Give yourself grace
Remember, recovery takes time. Be patient with yourself as you transition back to healthier routines. As the Canadian Mental Health Association notes, the goal of stress management is to bounce back from problems or challenges and maintain wellness. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.
As you work to reset after the holidays, consider taking a proactive step to recommit to your wellbeing: schedule your Preventive Health Assessment. This comprehensive evaluation can help you understand how stress may have impacted your overall health and identify any areas that may need attention.
A Preventive Health Assessment gives you:
The information provided in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you are experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety, or symptoms of a medical condition, please consult a physician or a licensed mental health professional.