December is magic — lights, music, familiar traditions, cosy evenings, and the feeling of connection. But it also comes with a lot of pressure. The to-do lists get longer, expectations rise, and the pace picks up whether we’re ready for it or not.
Somewhere in all of that, the body speaks up: “I’m tired.”
But do we listen? Most of us don’t. We power through it thinking rest is something we’ll get to later. It’s usually at the bottom of the to-do list — and often, it’s not even pencilled in.
Rest shouldn’t be treated as a reward, but as a priority. Rest is how the body stays balanced, and during the holidays, it becomes even more important.
1. Your nervous system doesn’t care that it’s December
Your body doesn’t magically gain more bandwidth just because it’s busy season. It reacts to what’s actually happening, not what the calendar says.
So when life speeds up, your system often shows it:
- tight shoulders
- shallow breathing
- headaches
- fatigue
- flare ups
- the sense that you’re constantly behind
This isn’t a character flaw, it’s just how the body works under pressure. It’s times like this that your system needs more support — not more effort.
2. Doing less often creates more relief
When you allow yourself to slow down even a little, your body responds quickly:
- circulation improves
- inflammation settles
- muscles release
- digestion calms
- cortisol drops
- mental clarity returns
Taking a short break in the midst of the chaos will help far more than pushing through another task. Your body isn’t asking you to stop your life — it’s simply asking you not to ignore it while you live it.
3. Simple habits help your body reset
You don’t need a long routine to feel better. It’s the small, repeatable habits that actually make the biggest difference — especially at this time of year.
A quick breathing reset
When your exhale is longer than your inhale, it sends a direct signal to your nervous system that you’re not in danger.
Here’s what actually happens:
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Your heart rate slows down.
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The vagus nerve activates (the system responsible for calming the body).
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Stress hormones begin to drop.
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Muscles stop bracing.
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Your breath leaves “fight-or-flight mode” and returns to a normal rhythm.
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Your brain shifts out of panic-thinking and back into clarity.
In simple terms:
A longer exhale forces the body to downshift.
It’s one of the fastest ways to interrupt stress before it turns into tension, pain, or overwhelm.
And it works even if you’re in the middle of a busy day — you don’t need silence, privacy, or a special setup. Just a few breaths.
A warm drink between tasks
Tea, ginger water, broth — anything that slows the pace enough for you to feel present.
Balm during micro breaks
Rub a little Ramedica on your shoulders, neck, or lower back when tension starts building. The cooling-to-warming effect helps tight muscles settle, especially when you’ve been sitting or running around all day. Even just taking the lid off, closing your eyes and inhaling the warm, calming herbal scent can ground you into the present moment. The olfactory system (yes, the one that sounds like “old factory”) is one of the most powerful ways to shift your mood and settle your body.
A light Gua Sha practice at night
Neck, shoulders, temples, behind the ears — nothing dramatic. Just enough to ease the “I’ve been clenched all day” feeling. Pair it with the soothing scent of lavender and chamomile in our Gua Sha botanical oil before bed — you’ll sleep like a baby.
These are practical habits that actually fit into real life.
4. Your value isn’t measured by how busy you are
The holidays often come with a lot of messaging about finishing strong, staying productive, and keeping everything together. None of that reflects your worth.
Your body isn’t designed for constant output. Your healing doesn’t happen when you’re stretched thin. And your worth has nothing to do with how much you accomplish.
Choosing a slower pace is not being lazy — it’s choosing to stay connected to yourself.
5. A realistic way to move through December
When you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, try asking: “What would actually help my body right now?”
Then choose the smallest possible action:
- take two minutes of quiet
- stretch your neck
- apply balm where it hurts
- go outside and get some fresh air
- drink something warm
- close your eyes for half a minute and breathe
- move a task to tomorrow
- ask someone to help
Small decisions like this prevent burnout far more effectively than pushing through everything on your list.
A holiday reminder
Rest isn’t laziness. Rest is how your body recalibrates. It’s how inflammation comes down, tension loosens, and your energy stabilises.
You don’t need to earn it. You don’t need to apologise for it. Rest is your body saying, “Let me catch up.”
And when you listen, everything shifts — your pain levels, your sleep, your mood, your ability to handle the season. You’ll be more present to the magic of it all.
This month, choose what supports you: slower mornings, shorter lists, a warm drink, balm when you need it, and a pace that respects where your body actually is.
Wishing you joy, calm, and the magic of the moment this holiday season,
Jaime
