3 Ways I Learned to Support My Nervous System Through the Holidays
Dec 22, 2025
For a long time, the holidays were not peaceful for me.
On the outside, everything looked fine — I was getting things done, keeping up with work, and showing up.
But internally, I was frantic.
I'd move through December in a constant state of stress:
- Trying to do all the things at work
- Overthinking food and restricting to “balance out” indulgences
- Pushing through exhaustion instead of listening to it
And honestly? None of it was enjoyable.
By the time January rolled around, I was depleted, disconnected from my body, and desperate for a reset. So I'd do what so many of us do — I'd set all-or-nothing goals for the new year, hoping they'd finally fix how I felt.
They never stuck.
Not because I lacked discipline — but because my nervous system was already fried.
Here's what I've learned since:
You can't build sustainable goals from a dysregulated place.
You can only follow through when you end the year grounded, supported, and connected to your body.
These are the three shifts that changed everything for me.
1.I Stopped Forcing and Started Creating Safety
I used to think rest was something I'd “earn” after the holidays.
Now I understand that safety in the body comes first.
When we're constantly rushing, overscheduling, or pushing ourselves through exhaustion, the nervous system stays in fight-or-flight. From that place, everything feels urgent and heavy — even things we want.
Creating safety looked like:
- Keeping simple daily anchors instead of rigid routines
- Choosing grounding movement over intense workouts
- Allowing myself to slow down without guilt
Once my body felt safe, I noticed something shift — my mind stopped racing, and decisions felt clearer instead of reactive.
2. I Let Go of Restriction and Chose Rhythm Instead
One of the biggest changes for me was how I approached food during the holidays.
I used to swing between restriction and indulgence, thinking that control equaled discipline. In reality, it just kept my nervous system on edge.
Now I focus on regular nourishment and consistency, especially when life feels chaotic.
That looks like:
- Eating regularly, even on busy or social days
- Prioritizing real, whole foods when I'm not at gatherings
- Supporting blood sugar instead of stressing about perfection
When the body knows it will be fed, it relaxes.
And when the nervous system relaxes, cravings, urgency, and self-criticism lose their grip.
3. I Slowed Down Enough to Actually Integrate the Year
I used to rush straight from December into goal-setting mode.
No pause.
No reflection.
No space to land.
Now I know that integration requires slowness.
Slowing down allowed me to:
- Reflect without judgment
- Notice what actually worked and what didn't
- Set intentions from self-trust instead of pressure
When you end the year regulated, goals don't feel like punishment or redemption.
They feel aligned — and sustainable.
Why This Matters for the New Year
If you end this year overwhelmed, under-fed, and disconnected from your body, your goals will feel heavy before you even begin.
But if you end the year grounded —
nourished, rested, and supported —
your goals don't need force.
They stick because your nervous system has the capacity to hold them.
This season isn't about doing more or fixing yourself.
It's about creating the internal conditions that allow change to last.
That's the foundation I wish I had years ago — and it's the one I want for you now.
This is exactly why we built Raeya.
Raeya was created to support nervous system regulation at the deepest level — through movement, recovery, body-based therapies, and intentional care that helps your system feel safe again.
If you're looking for a meaningful, supportive gift — for yourself or someone you love — Raeya gift cards are a beautiful way to offer rest, regulation, and reconnection during a season that often asks us to give everything away.
No fixing.
No pressure.
Just support.
You deserve to end this year grounded — and step into the next one from a place of true capacity.
With so much love,
Kelley | WBK
