IF YOU ARE TELLING YOURSELF YOU WILL DEAL WITH IT IN JANUARY, READ THIS

The holiday season has a way of tightening the body before we notice it happening. Travel plans, family expectations, colder weather, and year end pressure quietly stack on top of one another. Many men arrive at this time of year feeling more tired, more irritable, and less flexible. They often tell me they plan to push through and deal with it in January. On the table, it becomes clear their body has been holding the stress longer than they realized. The question usually comes softly, almost as a confession, when is the right time to get a massage during all of this.

For many men, the best time is before the busiest stretch begins. Long car rides and flights tighten hips, lower backs, and shoulders before the holidays even start. A massage beforehand helps the body move into travel with less guarding and less strain. Breathing slows, muscles soften, and the nervous system gets a reminder that it does not have to stay on alert. This is not about pampering yourself before a trip. It is about giving your body a better starting point.

Others wait until the middle of the season, when sleep becomes lighter and tension settles into the neck and jaw. Standing longer during gatherings, sitting more at meals, and absorbing emotional undercurrents all take a physical toll. One client, Jimmy, in his early sixties told me, “I did not realize how much I was carrying until my shoulders finally dropped and my breathing changed.” He came in feeling worn down and unsure if it would help. After the session, Jimmy said he was genuinely happy he came in for a massage and took the time for himself. That moment often brings relief mixed with surprise.

Some men prefer to come in after the travel and obligations have passed. This is when the body feels heavy, stiff, and slow to recover. A post holiday massage helps reset the nervous system and ease the inflammation that lingers from long days and disrupted routines. The truth is there is no single perfect moment during the season. The right time is when your body is already signaling that it has been holding too much. If that sounds familiar, now is a good time to schedule a session and give your body the care it has been quietly asking for.