Feeling Overwhelmed This Season? Start Here
This season can be meaningful, but it can also be loud, busy and emotionally demanding. Between deadlines, social events, travel and family dynamics, your nervous system can be carrying more than usual. If you’re feeling tense, overwhelmed or mentally exhausted, you’re not doing anything wrong. Your brain is just responding to increased stimulation and pressure. To start off the new year with energy and excitement instead of burnout and exhaustion, it's important to add small rituals into our schedule so that we can calm our nervous system.
Following are 6 brain-friendly tips for regulating your nervous system during seasonal stress:
→
Slow
Your
Exhale.jpg)
- Lengthening your exhale (even by a few seconds) signals safety to the brain and helps shift your nervous system out of stress mode.
→ Build In Transition Pauses
- Take 30-60 seconds breathe, stretch or ground yourself between meetings, events or errands to help your brain reset.
→ Limit Constant Stimulation
Reduce
background
noise,
notifications
or
multi-tasking
when
possible.
Your
nervous
system
needs
moments
of
quiet
to
recover.
→ Anchor Your Body
- Physical cues like placing your feet firmly on the floor, relaxing your jaw or dropping your shoulders help calm stress responses quickly.
→ Protect Your Energy with Boundaries
- Saying no to extra commitments or leaving events earlier than planes can prevent nervous system overload.
→ Support Regulation Through Routine
- Consistent sleep, meals, hydration and a moment to stabilize your nervous system during an otherwise unpredictable season.
Seasonal
stress
doesn’t
mean
you
need
to
power
through
or
push
harder.
Small,
intentional
shifts
can
help
your
nervous
system
feel
safer,
steadier,
and
more
supported,
even
in
the
busiest
moments.
By
listening
to
your
body,
honoring
your
limits,
and
building
in
brief
moments
of
regulation,
you
give
your
brain
the
chance
to
reset
and
recover.
This
season
can
still
be
full,
meaningful,
and
connected;
without
costing
you
your
well-being.
-Julie "Brain Lady" Anderson