Your holiday stress triggers — and how to relieve it — based on the zodiac

Tis the season of dark nights and merry expectations and perhaps unsurprisingly, a notable spike in stressors.

While stress is often associated with psychological strain, it actually affects the whole of the body; contributing to sleep disruption, digestive issues, inflammation and an increased risk of heart disease … suggesting the holidays can, in fact, kill us.

With obligation running rough shod over routine, ancestral trauma coming in hot with the holiday ham and the societal pressure to enjoy togetherness while maximizing expenditure of every kind, its tough out here folks and burnout is real.

Psychologist Matthew Sacco, of the Cleveland Clinic, has addressed what spurs stress and fuels burnout during these tinseled times. Sacco suggests conversation as compassion, saying no when you need to and prioritizing enjoyment over box-checking.

Stress is a spectrum and its causes vary from person to person and zodiac sign to zodiac sign. To help address and assuage the holiday scaries we’ve compiled a list of triggers and stress soothers with the help of astrologer Carole Taylor, author of “The Personalized Astrology Book: Powerful Edition.”

Read on, and if you can’t be merry may you at least be prepared.

Trigger: When things don’t go to plan or their pace is stalled, Aries folk are prone to lose it and their fa-la-la-la quickly sours to FTW. Taylor explains, “Aries usually head straight for the target, so travel delays or last-minute changes in schedule can quickly trigger frustration and stress. A cardinal sign and ruled by Mars, they like to get things done as quickly as possible – and to drive the agenda.”

When things don’t go to plan or their pace is stalled, Aries folk are prone to lose it and their fa-la-la-la quickly sours to FTW.

Self-care: Taylor notes, “Aries usually runs on adrenaline, whatever the season so, the holidays can be valuable for taking time out to recharge their batteries, to deliberately slow down and take stock, and to make plans for a fresh start in the new year. Physical activity is a sure way to destress, too – staying cooped indoors is a recipe for high tension.”

The best form of physical activity an Aries can engage in is long-distance running or sex, alone or with a partner(s) as it exhausts their energy and subdues their fire. A cold plunge and a long scream into a soft pillow work well too.

Trigger: More into leisure and lounge chairs than exhaustion, Taurus is triggered by the mad dash of the holiday; chaotic driving, amplified aggression, social obligations, long lines and consumer greed.

As Taylor points out, “This is an earth sign fixed by nature, so their natural pace is calm and unhurried. As long as the vibe is chilled, this is a pleasure-loving sign, well attuned to the joys of holiday time. But be prepared for a lean New Year – Taurus loves indulgence and is unlikely to hold back on money spent on the best presents, food, and decorations.”

Taurean stress can be triggered by going all in on pleasure and bulls would do well to remember that the best things can’t be bought and enjoyment does not always mean consumption.

In the immortal words of Mars in Taurus native Robbie Williams, “Overdose at Christmas
and give it up for Lent.” Taurean stress can be triggered by going all in on pleasure and bulls would do well to remember that the best things can’t be bought and enjoyment does not always mean consumption.

Self-care: As an earth sign ruled by Venus, Taurus is soothed by the tactile, the beautiful and the unhurried. Taylor notes, “A way for Taurus to cope is to prioritize what you know you have to do and not worry about the rest; physical and material comforts can be reassuring and an antidote to the fast pace of party season.” Taurus folk would be wise to balance earthly delights with time spent in nature.

Trigger: Taylor maintains, “Gemini is the sign most given to FOMO, and the most capable of being in as many places as humanly possible. Stress comes from stretching themselves too thinly, though, overloading with social engagements and not leaving enough time to enjoy being at home with family and close friends.”

“There is indeed joy in missing out if this means allowing the whirring Gemini mind to finally rest.”

Carole Taylor

Stress-relief: Though they feel called to disperse themselves and be everywhere and everything all at once, Geminis are better served by prioritizing nourishing company, restorative solitude and a social schedule of doing less and enjoying more. As Taylor advises, “Deliberately practicing a little JOMO might help, too — there is indeed joy in missing out if this means allowing the whirring Gemini mind to finally rest.”

Trigger: Rulers of the roost and the root system, Cancers are triggered by feeling underappreciated and/or out of control.

Taylor elaborates, “The average Cancer is a home bird. The holidays go with a swing as long as they can focus on cooking or caretaking. They like the whole clan to be home for the duration, so stress can mount if certain family members want to make their own plans.”

Mother yourselves this holiday season, moon children!

Self-care: “Cancer is ruled by the moon and is naturally given to emotional reactivity and changes in mood. Personal feelings are never far from the surface and can easily be triggered. Recognizing this can be a life-saver – knowing when to retreat rather than get upset in public or resort to emotional blackmail. Knowing that you don’t have to be everyone’s mother also helps – take time to look after yourself, ” recommends Taylor. Remember that devotion looks different for everyone, Cancer and taking space does not equate to cutting ties.

Trigger: A natural host and the home team of the inner child, Leo lives for the shine of the holidays and the chance to fete in regal fashion. Lions get triggered, and show their teeth when their party plans go awry; their guests fail to arrive, their efforts at culinary mastery fail and/or their cheer, gifts and benevolence go uncelebrated or unreciprocated.

Expect less, revel more.

Self-care: Taylor maintains, “As one of the four fixed signs, Leos prefers to do just one thing at a time and do it slowly and thoroughly before moving on to something else. So quit trying to multitask and find other people to delegate to.” Consider this permission to be the benevolent dictator you were born to be my babies! Expect less, revel more.

Triggers: Taylor maintains, “Virgo is the sign most triggered by the pressures of the festive season. Focused on details and believing they need to do everything, they can quickly reach overload. Virgos often takes on so much they are left scrambling at the last moment, leaving little energy to enjoy themselves. Stress usually leads to digestive problems for Virgo, which is always the telltale sign.”

You can’t be grateful and hateful at the same time, Virgo.

Self-care: “Taking care of everyday tasks is natural self-care for Virgo,” explains Taylor. “Things like keeping the house in good order, disappearing from the party to wash up, and going for a restorative walk.”

Persnickety Virgos should also refrain from hyper-focusing on the far from perfect. Rather than critique force yourself to notice three things that look or feel good to you. You can’t be grateful and hateful at the same time. Take a Tums and get your priority pyramid in order.

Trigger: For most of us, familial gatherings are rife with emotional landmines and long-held resentments, rough for anyone but particularly triggering for Libra folks. As Taylor notes, “Libra is the peacemaker of the zodiac and stress arises quickly in situations of conflict or tension.”

Libras can restore inner harmony by removing themselves from stressful situations rather than feeling obliged to mediate or diffuse them.

Self-care: Libras can restore inner harmony by removing themselves from stressful situations rather than feeling obliged to mediate or diffuse them. Sometimes saying ‘no,’ staying home, putting the phone on silent and keeping above the mud-slinging are the best practices for self-care.

Trigger: As Taylor deftly points out, “Scorpio isn’t one for small talk or big crowds. Most find trivial conversation boring, particularly if it requires them to reveal too much about themselves. The holiday season can be stressful for Scorpio if it isn’t focused on close family and friends. Nothing annoys a Scorpio more at this time of year than time spent drifting through stores and indulging in the preparations.”

Self-care: To battle back the banal, Taylor recommends, “Stress relief for Scorpio means allowing yourself to withdraw from the fray. This sign is sensitive to atmospheres and undercurrents, needing time to ruminate in private if there are tensions in the air or they feel off-kilter. Scorpio is a resilient sign with a tendency to deal with things alone, so it’s natural to need space for this.”

Trigger: As Taylor notes, “Sagittarius is a party-lover, never happier than when spirits are high, and everyone is having a good time.” Details are a drag to this ilk and when they’re asked to commit or contribute they get cagey. Count on them to breeze through and entertain but not to bring the mini quiche.

Self-care: Taylor recommends a long hike in the country, letting the open air and empty landscape fill archers up and ready them for festivities.

Trigger: Is it any wonder that founding daddy and apex Capricorn Benjamin Franklin is credited with uttering chiding advice, “By failing to plan, you are preparing to fail?” As Taylor explains, “Capricorn is task-focused, taking pride in being ultra-organized and in control. They make a plan and ensure everyone sticks to it.” These people love a checklist and the delicious sensation of crossing out tasks. Stress ensues for sea goats when the plan goes awry, the list goes to hell and the unexpected arises.

Proper planning, a spare gift box of Ferrero Rocher and plenty of masturbation should take the edge off any holiday stress,

Self-care: “For Capricorn, streamlining the shopping works well, – nothing pleases Capricorn more than the time-efficiency of buying all your presents from one outlet and getting someone else to gift wrap them. Practicality trumps just about everything for this sign.”

Practicality, a spare gift box of Ferrero Rocher and plenty of time for masturbation should take the edge off any best-laid plan that falls apart.

Trigger: Aquarius is a cerebral sign that values the authentic over the commercial and the consumer crush of the holiday can push them into a dissociative state. As Taylor reports, “Stress is triggered by anything that compromises the season’s community spirit.”

Volunteering or organizing a charity drive are excellent ways for water bearers to feel good and do good this holiday season.

Self-care: Volunteering or organizing a charity drive are excellent ways for water bearers to feel good and do good this holiday season. As Taylor imparts, “It helps Aquarius remind themselves of the important meanings behind these times of communal celebration and their role in bringing a community together in a spirit of social harmony and common good. Focused on intellectual rationality, the superficial glitz of the season may put them off. But a community orientation gives them a purpose.”

Trigger: Ruled by dreamy Neptune and doomed to a life of perpetual hope, Pisces lives for the lights and promise of the holiday season. Hot take: Buddy the Elf is a Pisces. These people shine when it comes to decorating and celebrating and their stress is born from over-committing and overindulging. Too much nog and vows made under its influence can easily lead to a shame spiral.

Remember Pisces, if you say ‘no’ now, you won’t have to say sorry later!

Self-care: As Taylor advises, “Pisces is prone to reverie, so self-care can be as simple as a good night’s sleep or 15 minutes of meditation. They want to help, but dealing with pressure isn’t their forte, so it pays to be honest about how much organizing they feel comfortable taking on. Under stress, Pisces usually looks for an escape route – so factor this in from the start. A quiet place to be alone occasionally can be a good safety valve.”

Remember, if you say ‘no’ now, you won’t have to say sorry later!

Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. She is also an accomplished writer who has profiled a variety of artists and performers, as well as extensively chronicled her experiences while traveling. Among the many intriguing topics she has tackled are cemetery etiquette, her love for dive