“You don’t have to do it all this holiday season. Do the things that matter most to you.” – Tami Stackelhouse

The holidays can be a difficult time of year for people living with fibromyalgia. Between shopping, cooking, decorating, family gatherings, and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to push yourself too far and end up in a massive fibro flare. You want to show up for the people you love, but your body will remind you that there’s only so much you can give.

Luckily, a memorable holiday season doesn’t just come from doing everything you’ve always done. Instead, it should be about doing what matters most. By learning to prioritize, pace yourself, and let go of the “shoulds,” you can create a season that’s joyful and supportive of your health instead of draining it. As we head towards the holidays, take your time, slow down, choose what feels right for you, and give yourself permission to rest without guilt.

In this episode, Tami talks about why it’s time to start thinking about navigating the holiday season, balancing energy and prioritizing what matters, planning buffer/recovery days before and after events, fibro-friendly food strategies, tips for eating safely, setting boundaries, mindset shifts for a less stressful holiday, time-savers to reduce stress this holiday season, why you should think ahead about dressing for comfort and creating a sensory-friendly environment for yourself, the impact of focusing on meaningful decorations and simplifying your holiday decor, the importance of accepting help, prioritizing joy over holiday “shoulds,” letting go of old traditions and creating new ones, and more. You’ll also get a sneak peek into the upcoming Living Well with Fibromyalgia Summit: Holiday Edition, featuring talks from Certified Fibromyalgia Coaches® on areas like balancing commitments, setting boundaries, and creating joyful new traditions.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.