The holidays can be an incredibly activating time, especially for those of us who carry complex trauma. Family dynamics, heightened stress, and societal expectations can pull us out of our bodies, leaving us feeling disconnected and ungrounded.

In my Healing for the Holidays Webinar, I explore how reconnecting with your body can be a powerful way to move through the season with greater ease and alignment. Embodiment is about noticing what your body needs, treating it with care, and listening to its wisdom. Here’s how you can start practicing embodiment during the holidays:

Check in With Your Body’s Needs
Our ability to integrate and apply new information is deeply tied to whether our basic needs are met. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Tired? Taking care of these foundational needs creates a sense of safety within the body, making it easier to respond thoughtfully in moments of stress.

This isn’t just about the holidays—it’s a practice you can carry year-round. The more you honor your body’s cues, the more trust you build with yourself.

Use Sensory Tools for Comfort
During the webinar, I share how I intentionally bring comforting items into my space: a soft blanket, a fidget toy, and even a cozy chair. These small sensory tools are grounding and can help you feel more present in your body.

Ask yourself: What textures, objects, or environments feel soothing to you? Maybe it’s holding something soft or taking in a calming scent. These little practices can make a big difference when holiday stress peaks.

Move When Your Body Asks for It
If you’ve been sitting all day or find yourself feeling stuck, movement can be a gentle way to reconnect with your body. This doesn’t mean exercise in the traditional sense—sometimes it’s just shifting in your chair, stretching, or taking a slow walk.

Your body holds a lot of wisdom, and movement can help release tension or bring awareness back to what you’re feeling.

Create a Resourced Environment
Returning home to yourself starts with intentionally resourcing yourself. During the webinar, I encourage you to make your environment supportive: eat if you’re hungry, hydrate if you’re thirsty, and adjust your space so it feels comfortable.

Maybe that means bringing a warm drink into the room or making sure you’re seated in a way that feels good. These small actions reinforce the message that your body matters.

Build Trust Through Care
Embodiment is an ongoing process of building trust with your body. When you treat it with care—listening to its needs, responding to its cues, and creating space for comfort—you send yourself an important message: I’m here for you.

This trust isn’t just helpful during the holidays; it’s what supports you in your most distressing or activating times. The more you practice now, the more natural it will feel when you need it most.

Why Embodiment Matters
The holidays can pull us out of ourselves, urging us to focus outward on obligations, traditions, and others’ expectations. Embodiment helps us come back home to ourselves. It’s about being present with your body and creating a sense of safety and alignment within it.

If you’re unsure where to start, reflection can be a helpful tool. Taking a few moments to journal can deepen your connection with your body and provide clarity about what you need.

Journal Prompt:
Think back to a recent moment when you felt disconnected or overwhelmed. What was happening in your body at the time? How might you offer yourself care and support if you find yourself in a similar situation this holiday season?

Dear one, this season, I encourage you to explore what your body is asking for and meet it with curiosity and care. Healing happens in small, intentional steps—and every time you choose to listen to your body, you’re moving closer to yourself.

Thank you for letting me see you,