As the holiday season approaches, it brings with it festive celebrations and cherished moments.
But let’s be honest, it can also bring a fair share of stress.
Your schedule is jam-packed, and you’ve got a bunch of family gatherings on the horizon. Who knows how those will turn out.
The pressures of the season can sometimes overshadow the joy.
So, what’s the solution?
Solution #1 is to do nothing.
Try to deal with it, reach your breaking point sometime during your holiday – most likely at your family gathering – and perhaps throw a turkey leg at an annoying uncle.
While turkey throwing does sound cathartic, it’s not much of a solution.
Solution #2 is to prepare your body and mind before the holiday stress kicks in, so you can roll with it instead of letting it roll over you.
How much stress someone can handle, and how they deal with that stress, differs from person to person.
It actually has a lot to do with your genes.
Your genetic makeup can offer insights into your stress response, giving you the tools to manage it more effectively.
Today, I’m going to cover three genes that play a big role in your stress response, and how you can use them to help you breeze through the season.
NR3C1 and Cortisol
The NR3C1 gene is responsible for increasing your cortisol levels in response to stress.
If you carry the negative variant, it means that your cortisol levels increase just a bit too much.
On top of that, the NR3C1 gene also turns on other genes that are part of the stress response.
So anytime you’re confronted with a stressful situation, you’ve got a stress-inducing gene party that’s making your body respond in a way that seems unmanageable.
Understanding your NR3C1 gene could be the key to keeping your stress response in check when holiday chaos comes calling.
If you do carry this variant, ashwagandha might work for you.
It helps regulate cortisol by supporting adrenal health and can aid in moderating your body’s reaction to stress.
GRM8 and Glutamate
The GRM8 gene was a game changer when I first read about it years ago.
The GRM8 gene is involved in regulating glutamate, which is like the “on” switch for brain activity.
Glutamate kicks into gear whenever you need focus, energy, or a quick response.
But, if you have a certain variant of the GRM8 gene, it can mean your brain’s “on” switch is a little too sensitive, especially under stress.
When stress hits, this variant makes it so that you’re more likely to feel mentally overloaded, like everything’s dialed up to high volume. Which is what would happen to me.
The solution, based on my genes, was L-Theanine.
OXTR and Fear
Oxytocin is one of the hormones and neurotransmitters responsible for calming you down.
If you have less sensitive oxytocin receptors, then oxytocin has a lower impact on your brain, and you’re more likely to feel stress and fear.
The gene responsible for coding the oxytocin receptor is OXTR.
If you get startled by things as little as the sound of a door shut, your OXTR gene may not be functioning optimally.
This gene variant can make it more challenging to connect with others during times of stress, potentially leaving you feeling a bit disconnected or isolated.
It’s like your body’s oxytocin receptors aren’t fully tuned in, so while everyone else is feeling the holiday warmth, you’re feeling a bit on the outside.
Your gut health plays a surprising role in producing and responding to neurotransmitters, including oxytocin, so Lactobacillus probiotic is a great supplement to counteract this gene.
Optimize Your Stress Response Today
By understanding your unique genetic makeup, you can take steps that align with your body’s natural responses, helping you stay balanced, calm, and ready for whatever comes your way.
Knowing how genes like NR3C1, GRM8, and OXTR influence your stress levels is just the beginning.
With a few targeted choices—whether it’s through supplements, lifestyle changes, or simply better awareness—you’ll be setting yourself up for a season that feels more manageable and even enjoyable.
So, why not take the opportunity to learn more about what your genes can tell you?
Discovering these insights can make the difference between holiday chaos and holiday cheer.
