The holiday season can be beautiful, but it can also feel incredibly heavy. Every year, we’re navigating collective grief, complicated family dynamics, financial pressure, shorter days, colder weather, and the emotional weight that winter naturally brings. And even if we don’t name it, many of us can feel the shift.

Part of that heaviness comes from what’s happening inside of us, but part of it comes from what’s happening around us. In transpersonal psychology, we talk about non-local consciousness—the idea that consciousness isn’t limited to your mind. It’s in the body, and it exists in the space between us. Think of it like this: if your body is the cell phone, your consciousness is the electricity in the battery. And collective consciousness is like ten phones plugged into the same power strip. If one device surges, the energy shifts for all of them.That’s what happens during the holidays. We don’t just feel our own emotions—we feel the emotions of those around us. And here in America, that collective “power strip” often carries a deep, seasonal heaviness.

For years, I didn’t understand that. I approached the holidays disconnected and unprepared.I self-isolated.I didn’t decorate.No lights, no warmth, no planning.Just darkness, overwhelm, and a deep sense of heaviness mixed with my own family dynamics. And it left me feeling horrible every single season.

Now, I approach this time of year very differently—and the shift has been transformational. I deep clean ahead of time, put up my lights, create warm corners in my home, set healthy boundaries, and hold myself accountable for staying connected even when I want to retreat. This doesn’t erase the heaviness of winter, but it helps me move through it with more clarity, support, and softness.

So today, I want to share the three practices that have made the biggest difference for me. These are simple, accessible, and deeply supportive—especially if you’re trying to avoid sinking into the holiday slump.

1. Stay Connected to Community (No Self-Isolating)

Whether it’s in person or virtual, community is grounding. We are not designed to carry everything alone—especially not during a season that is already emotionally loaded. Even a weekly check-in with a friend, a support group, or a virtual space can keep you from spiraling inward.And I know how tempting it is to withdraw. But showing up, even in small ways, keeps your nervous system from collapsing into loneliness.

Community is a lifeline. Don’t cut the cord.

2. Stay Connected to Nature (Plants, Parks, Fresh Air)

Nature regulates us. Period.Adopting a plant, tending to greenery, or taking a walk in a park—bundled up and warm—reminds your body that life is still moving, even when everything feels slow and heavy. Plants anchor us in the present moment. They soften the edges. They reconnect us to something steady and alive.

A little sunlight.A little soil.A little breath of outside air.It makes a bigger difference than we realize.

3. Create a Warm, Supportive Home Environment

Your environment shapes your emotional world. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does need to feel safe and comforting for you.This tip alone changed my holiday experience more than anything else.

Deep clean before the season starts.Put up lights that make your space feel warm.Keep the dishes from piling up. Tackle the chair with the clothes.Create cozy corners with blankets, candles, or soft lighting.

Your home should be a refuge, not another source of overwhelm. When you tend to your space, you’re tending to yourself.

Why This Matters

The holidays aren’t just “hard for you.”They’re hard for many, and that shared emotional frequency impacts all of us.

Between the collective grief, financial strain, disrupted routines, and shorter, darker days, there is a real emotional field we’re moving through. Understanding that you’re feeling both your experience and the collective experience takes some of the pressure off.

There’s nothing wrong with you.You’re just human—and you’re plugged into the same power strip as everyone else.

Here’s the Good News

You don’t have to just “survive” the holidays this year.

By tending to your community, connecting with nature, and keeping your environment warm and supportive, you give yourself the structure, connection, and grounding your nervous system needs. These practices have carried me through seasons that once felt impossible. And I hope they support you in moving through this time of year with your head held high, your heart open, and your spirit steadied.

You deserve to feel supported—deeply and consistently—even in the heaviest months of the year. Get your complimentary RWI Holiday Senses worksheet here and start creating your grounded, nurturing space today.