December Plans, December Bugs

December marks a season of gatherings, celebrations, and reconnecting with loved ones. Family dinners, year-end celebrations, office parties, school events, and long-awaited catch ups with friends. After a busy year, many of us are finally slowing down and making time for the people who matter.

But this is also the time when many people quietly feel run down.

In recent years, we have become more aware of how easily illnesses spread during busy seasons. Even now, it is common to hear, “I’m not really sick, just a bit tired,” or “It’s just a mild cold.” While this may be true for some, it can be very different for others, especially older parents, young children, or anyone whose immune system is already under strain.

December places a different kind of demand on the body. Days feel fuller, transitions happen faster, and there is often little space between one commitment and the next. Meals are eaten later or rushed, rest becomes something we plan to catch up on later, and quiet moments to reset become rare. Even when we are enjoying ourselves, the body may still be working harder than usual to keep up. Over time, this can leave you feeling unusually tired, less resilient, and slower to recover from small physical or emotional stresses.

This holiday season, it may be worth bringing back one simple habit: checking in.

Asking friends or family how they are feeling before meeting up is not awkward or overly cautious. It is a quiet way of caring for everyone involved. It also gives people permission to be honest and to rest when they need to without guilt.

Sometimes, choosing to postpone a meet up or keep it small is the kinder option. A celebration can always be rescheduled. Your health, and the health of the people you love, matters more.

Equally important is listening to your own body. If you are feeling run down, stiff, or unusually tired, it may be your body asking for a pause. Rest is not weakness. Slowing down does not mean missing out. Often, it allows you to enjoy the season more fully.

During busy periods like December, the body often holds on to tension without us realising it. Long days, travel, and disrupted routines can leave the spine and surrounding muscles feeling tight and fatigued. Gentle chiropractic care can help support the body by easing built up tension, improving movement, and helping the nervous system settle. When the body moves more freely, many people find that rest feels deeper and energy returns more naturally.

December does not have to be about pushing through exhaustion. With a little awareness, gentle communication, and care for your body, the holiday season can feel lighter, physically and emotionally.

May this be a season of connection, rest, and kindness to others and to yourself.