#93 Nervous System Prep for Holiday Gatherings
Nov 24, 2025Ahhh, the holidays.
A season wrapped in cinnamon-scented magic... often laced with emotional landmines, overstimulation, and a healthy side of Aunt Suzie getting all up in your business.
You don’t HAVE to brace yourself to prepare. You know that moment in the movies when the character takes a dramatic deep breath before stepping into the chaos? Sometimes, that’s just not enough. Especially if you’re an empathetic soul like me, already feeling the room’s energy while you’re still zipping up your boots.
If you're like me, you're already feeling the energy of the gathering while you're getting dressed. Sometimes, even a few days before!
Being intentional is KEY!
Make a plan for yourself to stay centered and rooted all throughout the day so you can enjoy yourself and those you're looking forward to spending time with.
Creating a way to step into those gatherings feeling steady, grounded, and centered will prevent you from feeling depleted. If you're already depleted and have nothing left in you to develop anything, I’ve got you!!
I’m sharing my tried and true plan with you, my dear!
These are my four tried and true practices I do to prepare for ANY gathering. They help my nervous system stay calm, my energy stay clear, and my heart stay open. They will do the same for YOU!
These practices also work wonderfully for planning your work day, a class you’re attending, a meeting you have to sit through, or an uncomfortable conversation you need to have.
My Gift To You...
✨ 1. Visualize the Day
How do you want to feel? How do you want to show up?
Before you even get out of bed, take a breath and see the day unfolding. Visualize each moment from the time your feet hit the floor to the time you’ll be walking into the gathering with peace. Picture your posture, your tone, your pace. Intentionally decide how you’ll carry yourself and what kind of energy you’re choosing to bring to the table (literally and figuratively).
Envision the most uncomfortable situation that could occur, and then imagine it going smoothly. You’re calm, unfazed, you handle it like a champ. Maybe you don’t even see what you’re anticipating playing out!
TRUTH: If you don’t choose your energy, someone else will choose it for you.
✨ 2. Breathe Before You Leave
Give yourself one minute. Just 60 seconds.
One minute of conscious connected breathing can recalibrate your entire nervous system. I don't mean just breathe slowly; there's a pattern to follow. Before you grab your keys, find a quiet place to sit. It can even be in your car before you put it in Drive.
Close your eyes and begin conscious connected breathing in and out of your nose. This practice focuses on a continuous flow of breath, where each inhale seamlessly transitions into the exhale. This style of breathing is designed to deepen awareness in the present moment and support emotional release. There are no pauses. You continually breathe in and out slowly and consciously. This style gets you into your body and out of your head quickly. Feel the inhale. Soften the exhale.
TRUTH: Your breath will allow you to land deep inside yourself before you walk into someone else’s chaos and keep you steady.
✨ 3. Have a Reset Plan
You’ve been there before. The mood changes on a dime. The conversation takes an awkward turn. Things can get crunchy real fast, and you might need to step away and reset.
Have your plan ready:
- Step outside
- Sit in the car
- A breath in the hallway
- Tap in the bathroom
- A walk around the block
TRUTH: Nobody has to know what you're doing. EFT tapping (if you’re new to it, check out this guide for guidance) helps reset your stress response right in the moment. It’s my secret weapon in all situations. It's an off switch for your stress response.
✨ 4. Leave Early If You Need To
Protecting your peace is sacred. If you’re not intending to be rude, you won’t come off as such, so give yourself some grace. Remember, you’re not responsible for how someone else may react to you leaving early. If they love you, they'll understand.
There is no badge of honor for sticking it out if your nervous system is screaming. You’re allowed to excuse yourself, take space, or duck out early. You teach others how to treat your energy by how you treat it first.
TRUTH: Your nervous system decides, not the clock, the tradition, or Aunt Suzie.
🎁 Your Free Gift: 4 Guided Audios for Each Step
I created a simple one-page Nervous System Prep for Holiday Gatherings guide with 4 mini-audios, one for each of the steps above. You can plug in your earbuds, listen on the go, and feel supported in real time.
Whether you're driving to dinner or taking a moment in the guest bathroom, I’ll walk you through it.
From One Nervous System to Another
You deserve to show up grounded, soft, and centered.
You deserve to enjoy the season without abandoning yourself or compromising your energy levels.
These practices are how we prepare.
This is how we protect our peace.
With love, breath, and (always) tapping,
Jennifer 💛
