Have you ever felt like you needed a weekend to recover from your weekend? That’s exactly how I felt after last weekend. Between Halloween and two jam-packed days for my daughter’s POM team, including hosting an early morning breakfast and hair and makeup session before a full day of competition at our house, I was exhausted.
I’m so happy to be the house where the kids gather. I truly love it. But by Sunday night, I could have used a day off. It reminded me how much the holidays can feel the same way. The days get jam-packed, the weekends blur together, and our brains and bodies take the hit.
And while it might feel too early for all the holiday music, ads, and store displays, our nervous systems are already reacting to the rush that’s coming. The push for the holidays can send your body into “go” mode long before you realize it, which means your system is already bracing for what’s ahead.
In addition to the mental load of keeping up with everything, there’s also a physical experience of bracing. Most people find it shows up as an aching, cranky back that quietly drains their energy and focus. And here’s something most people don’t know. One of the key back muscles that connects your spine to your arm is actually tied to focus and concentration. When that muscle becomes fatigued or overworked, it can leave you feeling both scattered and sore.
The standing, shopping, decorating, cooking, and cleaning all take a toll. Your back works overtime to hold you upright through it all, affecting how your body can function and show up for the activities you want to enjoy. It’s no wonder so many people experience back pain during the holidays before the season even begins.
If your back has already started whispering (or shouting) for attention, don’t ignore it. In the video above, I’m sharing a unique exercise that gently nourishes the back body while also supporting the nervous system. It’s a simple but powerful way to restore energy, ease tension, and help your brain and body feel more connected and ready for the season ahead.
If you’d like more tips like the one in this video, join me LIVE inside my free Facebook community for Unwrapping the Gifts withIN. Now through the holidays, I’m sharing short, nervous-system-informed exercises to support your brain, body, and gut, so you can move through the season with more strength, energy, and ease. In next week’s live offering, I’ll be sharing a simple standing sequence you can do as a quick break from all the cooking and prepping to help keep your back happy, your function optimal, and your nervous system regulated through the holiday hustle. Join us here for the gift that keeps on giving, support for your brain, body, and gut.
💗 Kelly
