The holidays bring joy and connection, but also extra demands on the body. Busy schedules, travel, changes in eating habits, and emotional stress can all add up. This is why many people notice that their energy feels different during the holiday season.The holiday season is a time of celebration, connection, and joy — but it also brings unique challenges. Many people notice that December feels both uplifting and exhausting. Behind the scenes, the body is constantly adjusting to late nights, heavier meals, changes in routine, travel, and the emotional ups and downs that holidays often bring.
When these stressors pile up, the body calls on its natural systems of defense. One of the most important of these is the immune system. Understanding how stress affects immune balance helps us see why the holidays can feel so draining — and why daily nutritional support makes such a difference.
Stress and the Body’s Response
When we experience stress, whether physical or emotional, the body releases natural stress hormones. In short bursts, this is protective: it gives us focus, energy, and motivation to meet challenges. But when stress lingers, the body has to work harder to maintain balance.
- Short-term stress helps the body adapt quickly.
- Ongoing stress may leave us feeling depleted or less resilient.
This doesn’t mean the body stops working; it means the immune system is busy reallocating resources, trying to keep equilibrium while dealing with constant demands.
Stress, Immunity, and Inflammation
Another part of the picture is the relationship between stress and the body’s natural inflammatory response. Inflammation is one of the body’s primary tools for maintaining health. However, when stress is unrelenting, inflammation may become harder to regulate.
This combination — higher stress and more inflammatory strain — is one reason why people often describe feeling “run down” during the holidays. It’s not just the busy schedule; it’s the underlying physiology of how the body copes with constant pressure.
Another part of the picture is the relationship between stress and the body’s natural inflammatory
Stress, Immunity, and Inflammation
Another part of the picture is the relationship between stress and the body’s natural inflammatory response. Inflammation is one of the body’s primary tools for maintaining health. However, when stress is unrelenting, inflammation may become harder to regulate.
This combination — higher stress and more inflammatory strain — is one reason why people often describe feeling “run down” during the holidays. It’s not just the busy schedule; it’s the underlying physiology of how the body copes with constant pressure.
Daily Choices That Support Balance
There’s no single “cure” for stress. Instead, the body benefits from consistent, everyday support:
- Balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, and nutrient-rich whole foods
- Adequate rest to allow the body to recover and repair
- Movement and activity that keep energy flowing steadily
- Whole-food support, such as mushrooms, that provide naturally occurring compounds like beta-glucans and antioxidants
Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) mushrooms are especially rich in these compounds. Research shows that ABM contains a unique profile of polysaccharides and antioxidants, including ergothioneine and glutathione. These nutrients help the body maintain its natural rhythm and resilience when faced with stress.
Building Resilience Into the Season
It’s easy to view the holidays as a time when health has to take a back seat. But in reality, this is when our bodies most need steady, thoughtful support. By choosing nourishing foods, respecting rest, and leaning on whole-food allies like mushrooms, we can give our immune system the foundation it needs.
Takeaway: Stress is part of life, and the holidays make it more visible. But with consistent daily choices — including the nutritional support of ABM mushrooms — the body can remain resilient, steady, and better prepared for what’s ahead.
Bibliography
- Segerstrom, S.C., & Miller, G.E. (2004). Psychological stress and the human immune system: a meta-analytic study of 30 years of inquiry. Psychological Bulletin, 130(4), 601–630. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.130.4.601
- Dhabhar, F.S. (2014). Effects of stress on immune function: the good, the bad, and the beautiful. Immunologic Research, 58(2–3), 193–210. doi:10.1007/s12026-014-8517-0
- Slavich, G.M., & Irwin, M.R. (2014). From stress to inflammation and major depressive disorder: a social signal transduction theory of depression. Psychological Bulletin, 140(3), 774–815. doi:10.1037/a0035302
- Hetland, G., Johnson, E., Lyberg, T., Bernardshaw, S., Tryggestad, A.M., & Grinde, B. (2008). Effects of the medicinal mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill on immunity, infection and cancer. Scand J Immunol, 68(4), 363–370. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3083.2008.02156.x
- Cheung, P.C.K. (2013). Mini-review on edible mushrooms as source of dietary fiber: preparation and health benefits. Food Science and Human Wellness, 2(3–4), 162–166. doi:10.1016/j.fshw.2013.08.001
- Halliwell, B., & Gutteridge, J.M.C. (2015). Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine (5th ed.). Oxford University Press. (Reference on ergothioneine and glutathione as dietary antioxidants.)
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