The holidays can be a magical time full of celebrations and connection, but they can also evoke feelings of loneliness and overwhelm — especially for those with a history of trauma. This duality of emotions can be hard to navigate, so this episode of Trauma Rewired explores the complex emotions that many experience during this time and strategies to manage them without falling back to harmful behaviors.

The conversation begins by revisiting the concept of neurotags to illustrate how simple sensory inputs like sounds or smells can trigger emotional and physical responses linked to past traumas. Then, we delve into the impact of family dynamics, societal pressures, internal and external expectations, highlighting the importance of self-care and boundary setting.

We also share our personal experiences with holiday-related trauma and reflect on their coping mechanisms that have evolved from maladaptive to healthy over time. As you listen to our insights, you’ll learn tools and strategies to regulate your nervous system, honor your body, and manage expectations amidst the festive chaos.

Tune in to learn what small actions you can take to overcome the holiday blues!

Topics discussed in this episode:  
The concept of neurotags and the holidays
Emotional complexities of the holiday season and trauma
Triggers and maladaptive behavior
Expectations versus capacity
Self-care and setting boundaries
The holiday season’s impact on our health
Healthy coping strategies for the holidays
What to expect next season on Trauma Rewired  

Try the 90-Day Journey with Our Two-Week Free Trial: Experience the journey firsthand with a two-week free trial. Simply register at https://www.rewiretrial.com to start your free trial and see how it resonates with your nervous system.

This holiday season, let this journey be a gift to you and your nervous system. We’re so grateful for your presence in this community, for listening to our podcast, and for engaging with us. If you have feedback about the classes or the experience as you go through, we’d love to hear from you.  

If you would like to WATCH the episode and/or have closed captions, check out our Trauma Rewired YOUTUBE channel! 

If you need access to transcripts of this episode, you can find that HERE on Apple Podcasts.

Connect with us on social media: @trauma.rewired  

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