There is so much to do in the weeks leading up to The Holidays™.
Whether you are planning, hosting, traveling, shopping, decorating, or even if you’re not celebrating at all but have end-of-year work deadlines, this time of year can be exhausting, with little to no time for rest.
Then we get stuck in the Bermuda Triangle between Christmas and the New Year. Some of us are spending time with family members we don’t see regularly, and family dynamics can be complex. It can feel like we’re running on empty long before the holidays are over, so maybe we push through the overwhelm and exhaustion just to get through it.
This can trigger the nervous system’s stress response; the body releases hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol to support an extended state of fight-or-flight. This long period of chronic stress can trigger burnout, deplete the immune system, and leave hormone levels out of balance.
Late nights, heavy holiday meals, and excess sugar and alcohol all contribute to an out-of-balance metabolism.
Lack of sleep and packed schedules often result in a drop in exercise.
These factors disrupt digestion and nutrient absorption, decreasing leptin (the satiety hormone) and increasing ghrelin (the hunger hormone), raising cortisol levels, and contributing to an energy deficit.
So, how do we recover without pushing ourselves even harder – especially when “New Year, New Me” energy is in full swing? We take a systemic approach. Without judgment, taking an honest look at how we have depleted our resources should reveal a practical path to recovery. Also, I’m not doing “NY, NM” this year; I’m doubling down.
The Essentials
Sleep:
Prioritize rest. Looking for a new habit in 2026? Let’s get serious about sleep.
As a neurodivergent person, when my brain is maxed and energy is nonexistent, sticking to a routine is HARD.
One thing I do to support myself is prewrite a menu of practices I can choose from, so I barely have to think and can just follow the instructions.
A sleep hygiene menu can be as simple as creating a list on your phone or a sticky pad with:
- 2-3 gentle movements to prepare the body for sleep
- 1-2 soothing herbal tea blends
- Necessities like water at your bedside, an eye mask, earplugs, a sound machine, and a relaxing essential oil blend diffuser.
- Basics like brushing teeth, nighttime skincare routine, facial massage, taking a warm bath or shower, and cozy pajamas.
- Reminders to set an alarm, switch the phone to Do Not Disturb or silent mode, create a cool, dark room, and limit screen time.
Water and Nutrition:
Dehydration can cause sluggishness, dry skin, bad breath, and hunger – to name a few symptoms. Drinking water and herbal tea, and eating water-rich foods like greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, and even yogurt, will help replenish the body’s hydration level. A focus on balanced meals that include vegetables, protein, fiber, and complex carbs is essential in recalibrating out-of-balance hunger hormones. Remember, food is medicine!
Movement:
Now is not the time to launch into a grueling exercise routine. At worst, jumping into intense exercise without a foundation increases the risk of injury; at best, it will be challenging to maintain the routine. Starting slow – once you’ve rested – and focusing on light exercise like walking, biking, dancing, yoga, or light weight training will positively impact every single body system: hormones, metabolism, nervous system, cardiovascular system, cognitive function, mood, and more. This is another area where pre-writing a “Movement Menu” can be very helpful; I often struggle more with the decision than with the motivation.
Mental & Emotional Support:
I know that sleep was the first thing I mentioned, but now I’m going to talk about rest, which is its own thing. When I talk about rest, I want to focus on the mental and emotional aspect rather than catching ZZZ’s. Giving oneself permission to go easy, take it slow, take breaks, savor each meal, prioritize comfort, and generally move softly through the day is what I consider rest. Going easy – without judgment – takes the pressure off, disengages fight-or-flight, and releases the sense of urgency people are so often caught up in. Of course, we still have responsibilities and obligations, but choosing to prioritize comfort and ease whenever possible is a way of showing ourselves kindness, love, appreciation, and patience. Noticing without judgment, “done is better than perfect,” and “good enough” are helpful to begin shifting into this mindset.
Creating rituals around self-care is such an underestimated way to show ourselves love. Journaling, breathwork, meditation, an herbal compress or bath soak, or placing a weighted heating pad or blanket over you soothes the nervous system and brings the quiet in.
Herbal Support:
There are many beautiful herbs to choose from that are nourishing, support mental and emotional boundaries, gently detox, and reduce stress and anxiety – so pick a few that resonate with you.
A warm cup of lavender and chamomile tea in the evening works a charm at soothing and settling before bed.
Ashwagandha Moon Milk is a warm, soothing beverage made with a warm cup of your favorite milk, ashwagandha powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, black pepper, coconut oil, and honey or maple syrup.
A nourishing herbal broth of nettles, oat straw, parsley, sage, thyme, and rosemary, along with root vegetables and/or protein of your choosing.
A low-dose cannabis tincture taken before engaging in movement is one of my favorite ways to exercise.
Closing: Recalibration Is Not a Reset
If there’s one thing I want to leave you with, it’s this:
Recovery is not something you force – it’s something you allow.
The nervous system doesn’t recalibrate through pressure, punishment, or productivity. It recalibrates through safety, consistency, and gentle signals that say “we’re not in danger anymore.” That can look surprisingly simple: sleeping a little more, drinking water before coffee, choosing warmth over stimulation, moving your body in ways that feel supportive instead of depleting.
You don’t need to overhaul your life.
You don’t need a rigid plan or a perfect routine.
You don’t need to be “back on track.”
You just need to listen honestly, notice where your resources are low, and respond with care instead of criticism. Small, steady choices – repeated over time – are what bring the nervous system back into balance.
Late winter isn’t asking you to become someone new.
It’s asking you to tend what’s already here.
A Gentle Invitation
If you’re craving more support as you come back into your body after the holidays, you’re not meant to do that alone.
You might choose to:
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Start with one ritual from this post and practice it for a week
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Journal about where you feel depleted – without trying to fix it
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Build a simple “menu” of sleep, movement, or nourishment practices you can return to when decision fatigue hits
And if you’d like guidance that’s slow, nervous-system-aware, and rooted in real life, I offer gentle coaching and seasonal resources designed to help you rebuild rhythm without burnout.
No pressure. No timelines.
Just support, when you’re ready.
Take what serves you.
Leave the rest.
Your body knows the way back.
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