Therapist-approved nervous system care that actually fits your life
Halloween is funβ¦until it hits maximum chaos. If you're anything like my family, Halloween is no longer a one-night event -- it has become a month-long celebration of parties, "trunk-or-treat", school events, "boo bags", and more.
This means sugar rollercoasters (and wrappers hidden between my couch cushions). Late nights. Multiple costume negotiations. The βmake the holidays magical!β pressure already creeping in.
This time of year is cozy and exciting β and a LOT for the nervous system.Β
As both a therapist and a mom, I see this in real time: When stimulation goes up, our bandwidth goes down.
So, instead of pushing through until you burn out, letβs try to slow down the Halloween hamster wheel with tiny rituals to help your mind and body feel grounded.
Here are five you can start today:
π β¨ 1. Mark the shift from βwitching hourβ to winding down
Our mind and bodies need cues that the rush is over.Β A soft scent and warm glow can be a reset button for the brain.
π―οΈ Try:
β’ Pumpkin Chai β cozy βwe made it through another dayβ vibes
β’ Grounded β for when you feel scattered and overstimulated
Take one intentional breath as the flame flickers. Thatβs therapy. (No appointment required.)
ππ± 2. Create a tiny pocket of sensory rest
Halloween and the lead-up to the holidays = maxed-out senses. Instead of scrolling through more stimulation, replace one moment tonight with calm:
β’ Set your phone in another room
β’ Dim the lights
β’ Find a comfortable seat and experiment with added weight for extra grounding (ex: a folded blanket over your hips)
β’ Close your eyes and breathe into your shoulders
π―οΈ Try: Calm β soft spa energy
π‘ 3. A one-surface tidy ritual
Not the whole house β just one thing: clear the countertop, the nightstand, the coffee table.
Your brain loves a single βwin.β
π―οΈ Try: Breathe -- clean, energizing energy β you are making space to breathe in both your internal and external worlds.
βοΈπ 4. Cozy morning anchoring
The mornings after sugar-fueled nights?Β Start with warmth and intention to calm the chaos.
π―οΈ Try: Morning Coffee β the ultimate feel-good ritual. Pair it with one grounding phrase: βToday, we keep things simple.β
ππ―οΈ 5. A bedtime scent cue your body can trust
Predictability signals safety β especially in overstimulating seasons.
π―οΈ Try:
β’ Harvest Moon β slow, cozy descent into calm
β’ Therapy Β β relaxation and sleep support
A therapistβs reminder for this week:
You get to feel calm while life is busy β not just after it settles. Cheers to surviving the costumes and sugarβ¦ and savoring the cozy magic in between