How to Preserve Your Energy and Manage Holiday Triggers

The holiday season, filled with love, connection, and celebration, can also bring a unique set of challenges that leave us feeling drained and overwhelmed. Between family gatherings, shopping, planning, and even moments of reflection on the year past, it’s easy to lose touch with ourselves and let stress creep in.

Here’s how you can approach the holidays with compassion and self-care, helping you keep your energy in balance and respond gently to any triggers that may arise.

1. Start with your normal morning ritual, working out, walking (Grounding Practices!)

Holidays can pull us in different directions, so grounding ourselves daily is essential. Here’s a simple grounding ritual to start each morning:

• Take a few deep breaths/Pray on your desires for the holiday. Trust me when I tell you the Universe and God will support you to aspire and make it happen. Focus on your breath as it moves in and out, connecting you to the present moment.

• Set an intention. Before you even get out of bed- Yes, I am not kidding. Reflect on what you want to embody that day: peace, patience, love. This intention will help you stay anchored, even when things get hectic.

• Visualize roots growing from your feet. Imagine roots reaching deep into the earth, giving you stability and a strong foundation.

By keeping your routine you will be grounding yourself, you’ll feel more centered, less reactive, and better prepared to respond to the day's demands.

2. Manage Expectations and Give Yourself Permission to Say No

Holiday expectations — both from others and ourselves — can be a major source of stress. To protect your energy, set boundaries that align with your well-being. Remember, saying no can be an at of self-love and care also. It not just about pleasing everyone around you. It is about helping one another and yourself included.

Remember:

• You don’t have to attend every event. Permit yourself to decline invitations that feel overwhelming or don’t align with your needs.

• Limit time with people who drain you. Spend more time with those who lift you up and less with those who bring tension.

• Practice spiritual protection of your energy

• Practice energetic cleansing after the party-like salt shower or salt bath. It’s a miracle worker.

• Another good practice is calling back your power when you feel drained and have been around a lot of people.

• Communicate your needs. It’s okay to express your boundaries openly and with kindness. If someone is disappointed, know that it’s not a reflection of your worth.

  
  

3. Recognize and Acknowledge Your Triggers that seem to be getting lit up all the time.

Holiday gatherings can sometimes bring up old wounds, memories, or relationship dynamics that don’t serve us, especially with family members.

 Here’s a gentle approach to handling these:

• Identify your triggers ahead of time. Knowing what situations or interactions might bring up uncomfortable feelings can help you prepare.

• Observe, don’t absorb. When something triggers you, acknowledge the feeling without judging yourself. Practice viewing the emotion from a distance, reminding yourself that you don’t have to absorb the energy of others.

• Practice forgiveness — for yourself and others. Even if you’re not ready to forgive certain people, showing yourself compassion and understanding goes a long way in releasing emotional tension.

4. Embrace Small Self-Care Rituals

Holidays can feel busy, but integrating small moments of self-care is a powerful way to stay balanced. Here are a few ideas:

• Daily breathwork: Taking just five minutes to breathe deeply can bring a sense of calm.

• Gratitude journaling: Reflecting on even one thing you’re grateful for each day can shift your energy and invite a sense of peace.

• Move your body: Whether it’s a walk, stretching, or dancing to your favorite song, movement helps release stress and resets your energy.

5. Visualize a Protective Energy Shield

If gatherings or holiday crowds feel intense, try this visualization:

• Imagine a bubble of light surrounding you. Picture yourself in a protective bubble filled with warm, comforting light. You have to literally ASK your higher power to place this light around you and seal you 360 degrees.

• This bubble is an energetic boundary, keeping negative energies from entering your space.

• Set an intention for protection. Silently affirm, “I am protected and grounded. Only positive energy/unconditional love may enter my space.”

  
  

6. Give Yourself the Gift of Compassion

Perhaps the greatest gift you can give yourself this season is self-compassion.

No holiday is perfect, and no one expects you to handle everything flawlessly. When triggers arise, or when you feel your energy dipping, remind yourself that it’s okay to feel this way. Remember you don’t have to tolerate people’s rudeness or lack of love towards you. Sometimes even the restroom stop can give us the space to take some breathes and pause.

Even though we are in the holiday season, it can be any season that these triggers happen. You’re human, and this season, allow that humanity to guide you to gentleness and self-love. That means saying no to endless events and gatherings, wasting money on endless gifts and lack of love moments. Go where you feel guided. Go where you feel happy. Go where you feel acknowledged and respected.

This holiday season, remember that your energy and well-being are valuable. By approaching the holidays with faith, setting boundaries, and embracing self-compassion, you can preserve your energy and create meaningful, joyful experiences.

Let this season be one of growth, balance, and peace for you also!

You matter too!

Hustle and Grace in the Same space,

Joann