The more we ignore and dismiss the stress that we are experiencing under the hood, the more likely we are to get sick, withdraw from others, or cannot find a way to relax and enjoy the holiday spirit.

We encourage you to give yourself gifts that are not objects but can fill you with nurturing, compassion, gratitude and connection. YOU are just as important as everyone else on your gift list!

Now, a new research study published in Cell Reports Medicine January 2023 found that slow and deep inhales through the nose followed by slow and full exhales through the mouth (‘cyclic sighing’) was most effective at improving mood and reducing anxiety - even more effective than mindfulness meditation - when practiced at least five minutes per day for 28 days.

Whether you call it ruminating, intrusive thoughts, perseverating or just plain “I can’t turn my brain off”, repetitive thoughts that bring discomfort show up quite regularly. Applying polyvagal theory connects repetitive thoughts to a sympathetic nervous system state.    Five tips to calm racing thoughts and disengage from sympathetic nervous system.