12/13/2025
Holiday Stress? Calm the Body First.
The holidays don’t just stress the mind they overwhelm the nervous system.
When your body feels safe, your thoughts naturally soften.
Try these 5 simple somatic practices to reset and ground yourself anytime, anywhere:
1. Breathe Out Longer
Inhale through your nose.
Take a small second sip of air.
Exhale slowly through your mouth.
Repeat 3–5 times.
2. Look Around Slowly
Let your eyes gently scan the room.
Notice five things you can see.
No rushing. No forcing.
3. Drop the Shoulders
Lift your shoulders toward your ears.
Hold for a moment.
Exhale and let them fall.
Repeat several times.
4. Hand to Heart
One hand on your chest, one on your belly.
Breathe slowly.
Silently say: “I’m here. I’m safe.”
5. Gentle Sway
Shift your weight side to side.
Let your arms hang loose.
Move slowly and breathe.
You don’t need to control the holidays.
You just need to calm your nervous system.
Small practices.
Big relief.
