The holiday season can bring joy and celebration – but it can also stir up stress, overwhelm, and old wounds, especially when it comes to family dynamics. If you find yourself feeling tense, disconnected, or weighed down by the complexities of holiday gatherings, you are not alone.
Family dynamics often hold layers of unspoken emotions, childhood trauma, and body memories of past experiences. The holidays tend to bring these layers to the surface, making this time of year challenging for so many of us. For those navigating family relationships that might feel heavy, complicated, or even painful, finding tools to stay grounded and present can make all the difference.
As a trauma-informed somatic healing practitioner, I understand how overwhelming this time of year can feel – especially for those carrying the weight of childhood trauma and/or family trauma. To support you this season, I have created a short grounding meditation that you can use to anchor yourself during family gatherings or as part of your self-care practice afterward.
Why Grounding and Felt Boundaries Matter
In the face of challenging family dynamics, it is easy to become overwhelmed or disconnected from your body. Learning how to manage emotional overwhelm during Christmas and other holidays can offer a sense of steadiness when things feel chaotic.
This meditation is an invitation to gently reconnect – to find steadiness in your breath, presence in your body, and clarity around your felt boundaries.
Felt boundaries are the internal signals your body gives you when something feels “too much” or “just enough.” Learning to recognize these boundaries can help you navigate moments of tension or discomfort with greater ease and self-compassion.
This practice is here to remind you that your body can be a safe and supportive ally, no matter what dynamics are unfolding around you.
Listen to the Meditation
You can listen to the meditation here <3
I encourage you to set aside a few quiet moments to listen, whether before a gathering, in the midst of it, or as part of your recovery afterward.
The meditation is 10 minutes long.
An Invitation to Rooted
This meditation is an example of the kind of practices we explore in Rooted, my online embodiment community for women. Rooted is a space where we come together to move through life’s complexities – from family and relationship dynamics to the stresses of modern life – with gentleness, connection, and embodied tools.
If this resonates with you, I invite you to explore more about Rooted and consider joining us. It is a place where women can feel held, supported, and empowered to navigate life with more ease and presence.
Supporting Yourself This Holiday Season
Whether or not you join Rooted, I hope this meditation offers you a moment of steadiness and grounding during this holiday season. Navigating family dynamics during the holidays – especially when layered with childhood trauma and/or family trauma – can feel like a lot to manage. But with the right tools, you can approach these moments with a little more grace, compassion, and ease.
If you are seeking tools to manage stress and navigate the complexities of family and relationship dynamics in an embodied way, or if you are curious about somatic practices for healing and support, I invite you to explore the resources available here on my website and within the Rooted community.
Wishing you peace and care this season,
Lise