The holidays can bring meaningful traditions, family time, and celebrations. They can also bring long days, crowded gatherings, travel, and pressure to keep up.

For people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), the extra demands of the season can make it harder to manage fatigue, symptoms, and everyday routines. Trying to do too much may leave less energy for the activities and people that matter most.

The results show that members take different approaches to holiday stress, with skipping events when needed being the most common response.

Beyond the poll, MyMSTeam members have shared ways they adapt holiday traditions, protect their energy, and make room for connection and enjoyment. Here are six strategies drawn from their experiences.

For some members, reducing holiday stress starts with changing expectations.

One MyMSTeam member shared, “It took me 25 years to realize that I can’t do that anymore. I finally realized that my family just wanted to be together and the extras didn’t matter.”

“It took me 25 years to realize that I can’t do that anymore. I finally realized that my family just wanted to be together and the extras didn’t matter.”

 

— A MyMSTeam member

Another said, “I have scaled things down. Less of everything, unfortunately or otherwise. Try to make things quieter with family visits.”

Scaling back might mean fewer decorations, simpler meals, less shopping, or smaller gatherings. It can also mean deciding which traditions still feel worth your energy.

Several members said they intentionally schedule breaks instead of waiting until they are already worn out.

One MyMSTeam member explained: “If I schedule in my rest, I can pretty much handle the holidays.”

Another said: “I also schedule rest times throughout the day, so I have some energy and I don’t have to miss out.”

Rest does not always have to mean skipping the celebration. Some members step away for a while, then return when they feel ready. Building breaks into the day may make it easier to participate without trying to keep going nonstop.

Members have shared other ways they manage MS-related fatigue year-round.

Hosting a holiday can involve days of cooking, cleaning, shopping, and preparation. Some members have decided that being part of a celebration matters more than being the person responsible for it.

One member said: “As much as I hated giving it up, I no longer host holiday dinners at my home. Giving that up has relieved an enormous amount of stress!”

Another MyMSTeam member shared, “My daughter-in-law has taken over for me, so I don’t have the stress of the day at my house anymore. I am so grateful.”

Other members described:

• Organizing potluck meals
• Ordering catered food
• Eating at restaurants
• Sharing cooking and cleanup duties among relatives

Changing who does the work can leave more energy for being together.

MS can make it hard to predict how you will feel when a holiday event finally arrives. Some members handle that uncertainty by making flexible plans from the start.

One member tells people ahead of time: “I make everyone aware in advance that I won’t know until the day of the event whether I am well enough to attend, especially planned-ahead holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.”

Another MyMSTeam member summed up their approach this way: “I listen to my body, even when I don’t like what it’s telling me.”

Flexibility might mean:

• Arriving late
• Leaving early
• Shortening a visit
• Deciding not to go

In the poll, skipping events when needed was the most common response to holiday stress.

For some members, the challenge is not only the schedule. The environment itself can become tiring or uncomfortable.

One MyMSTeam member said, “Holidays can be daunting for sure. I usually need to step outside and cool down. My temp rises, and my face gets flush.”

“I usually need to step outside and cool down. My temp rises, and my face gets flush.”

 

— A MyMSTeam member

Another described how noisy gatherings affect them: “We are not drinkers, and noisy groups of people bother me. Many people talking at once is fatiguing.”

Some members look for a quiet room, step outside, sit down for a few minutes, or leave before the gathering becomes too much. Planning for those breaks ahead of time may make social events feel more manageable.

The holidays can also bring sadness. Some members grieve people they have lost, traditions that have changed, or things they no longer feel able to do.

One member described having children who live too far away to visit and being unable to prepare festive meals. “I find holidays make me grieve the person I used to be,” they wrote.

“I find holidays make me grieve the person I used to be.”

 

— A MyMSTeam member

Another said, “It hurts not to be able to celebrate with everyone. I miss my family.”

Those feelings can exist alongside gratitude or enjoyment. It’s OK to miss the way holidays used to be while also finding meaning in new traditions. Celebrating differently doesn’t mean the season has to lose everything that makes it special.

Taking Care of Yourself During the Holidays

Protecting your well-being during the holidays doesn’t have to mean doing everything the way you used to. Setting boundaries, asking for help, making time for rest, and adjusting plans when needed can help you manage fatigue and other MS symptoms while saving energy for the people and activities that matter most.

The holidays can also be emotionally difficult, especially when MS changes how you’re able to celebrate. If you’re feeling lonely, sad, or overwhelmed, consider reaching out to someone you trust or connecting with others who understand. If these feelings continue or interfere with daily life, a mental health professional can offer additional support.