Healing Around the Holidays
When busyness doesn't get the best of you
The holidays can feel like a marathon: lists, parties, perfectionism, and the pressure to make everything magical. But what happens when your body says “enough”? Here’s how a simple practice helped me find peace and healing amid the chaos.
I’ve written before about my experiences with healing, and every time it happens, I’m struck by the sheer miracle of it. Well, it happened again the other day.
I felt the onset of a flu virus - my body shutting down, tonsils swollen, energy drained. My first thought was: No, not now. Not right before the holidays. I felt defeated.
Then, a spark of curiosity: What if I tried my healing meditation practice? So I did. And once again, I experienced its quiet wonder.
For anyone curious, the meditation I use is called “Head-to-Heart Coherence” by Kim D’Eramo. It’s only about 20 minutes. I lay down in bed and let go of every worry, every thought, every “to-do” swirling in my head, every “should” or “could” that feels especially loud this time of year.
While I love the excitement of Christmas with two little girls, life gets full. This year, my youngest, Lily, turned two just days ago. Being the mother I am, I planned a party for 25 people in my home complete with a handmade balloon arch, a Play-Doh table and more.
The next day, my sister arrived from Switzerland to spend three weeks with us. I wanted the house to feel welcoming, to show how much her visit means. Cue perfectionism: the night before her arrival, I stayed up late making sure her room and every other corner of our house was just so.
Before I knew it, I’d barely slept. The next morning, straight to work. Then from work to pick up my girls and head to the airport. Another night of little sleep after celebrating her arrival, and back to work again.
Sound familiar? For many working mothers, something’s got to give. And often, it’s our immune system. That’s when viruses lurking in daycares, schools, and offices find their way in.
But in that meditation, all of it melted away. Deep relaxation set in. The clenching and striving vanished. And with it, my symptoms faded.
I’m so grateful to have this tool at my disposal.
I share this for anyone who’s open to it: in those moments when we’ve taken on too much - when stress, lists, and expectations weigh heavy, try to pause. Get curious. Surrender.
When the season feels heavy, let your heart lead.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a Merry Christmas to you and yours.
With love,
Anna
