A Letter To The Woman in the Middle of It All (Holiday Season Stress Edition)
- Dr. Tamarah Chaddah, ND
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
By: Dr. Tamarah Chaddah, ND, MSCP (f. NAMS) | Menopause Practitioner
Follow me on socials @drchaddahnd
As the holidays swirl around you with the gatherings, the expectations, the busy schedules, the family needs — if you’ve been waiting for a sign to pause…let this be it.
I see you.
You’re trying to make the season magical for everyone else. You’re juggling plans, hosting, traditions, emotions, and the invisible labor that no one really acknowledges. And somewhere inside all of that… your body whispers for attention.
A little more brain fog than usual. A shorter fuse when the stress piles up. Interrupted sleep. A heaviness that settles in even during joyful moments. The sense that you’re present for everyone — except yourself.
And still, you push through, because that’s what you’ve always done.
Let get into it!
Disclaimer:
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, naturopathic doctor, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health concern. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.”
Holiday Season Stress Has a Way of Magnifying What You’ve Been Quietly Carrying
I’ve seen this so often in the women who come to me, especially during the holiday season stress that comes with this time of year. You tell yourself it’s “just the season,” “just stress,” “just being busy.” You promise yourself you’ll look into it after the holidays. You compare yourself to women who seem to be managing more, so you downplay your own discomfort.
But by the time January arrives, many of you are completely burned out — emotionally, physically, hormonally.
I want you to hear this clearly: You don’t have to wait until life slows down to take care of yourself. You don’t have to earn your right to feel better.
**Yes, This Time of Year Is Beautiful.
But It Can Also Be Heavy.**
Especially when your hormones are shifting and everything feels just a little harder than it used to.
The quieter symptoms of perimenopause don’t take a holiday break:
The fogginess that makes you forget what you walked into the room for
The unexpected anxiety that pops up during family gatherings
The irritability that feels out of character
The emotional overwhelm
The deep fatigue after giving so much of yourself
These aren’t “just holiday stress,” and they’re not “just aging.”
These are signals — and they deserve your compassion.
This Season, I Want to Offer You a Different Message:
You are allowed to slow down. You are allowed to rest. You are allowed to enjoy your family without running yourself empty. You are allowed to take your symptoms seriously — even if they’re subtle, even if no one else sees them.
And you are absolutely allowed to seek care before everything feels unmanageable.
In my practice, we take the time to understand the full picture — your stress, your hormones, your sleep, your mood, your life.
There is support here for symptom relief, emotional well-being, long-term health, and most importantly: for you.
If You’ve Been Waiting for a Sign, Here It Is:
You don’t have to carry this season — or this transition — alone. You deserve care now, not later.
Wishing you warmth, presence, and gentleness this holiday season.
In health,
Dr. Tam
Follow me on socials @drchaddahnd
