As the holidays approach and the stress of balancing family dynamics, decorating, entertaining, baking, shopping, and travel take over our already busy daily lives, it is important to find calming practices that counteract the effects of stress. Whole Brain Living, as outlined by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, is an excellent way to short-circuit emotional reactivity, while yoga offers a wide range of ways to help draw balance in these chaotic times.
The holidays are a time of joy and celebration, yet too often the focus has shifted to managing stress. From Laura Ingalls’ and her sister Mary’s awe-filled experience receiving tin cups, peppermint sticks, and shiny pennies for Christmas, to the pressures of shopping, decorating, traveling, entertaining, baking, and accommodating family dynamics, the holiday season can become an emotional burden. Too much stress can lead to loss of sleep and increased susceptibility to illness. It is important to recognize and address the potential sources of stress with self-care and mindfulness.
The Left Brain and the Right Brain
The Left Brain:
The left brain is primarily responsible for analytical thinking, logical reasoning, linear thinking, and language. It helps us make sense of the world around us by linearly organizing information. This side of the brain is often associated with logic and organization.
The Right Brain:
The right brain, on the other hand, is responsible for creative thinking, intuition, non-linear thinking, and emotion. This side of the brain allows us to experience the world more holistically and can help us access emotions more easily. It helps us connect with our inner selves and express ourselves emotionally.
Exploring the concept of Whole Brain Living, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor presents an exciting perspective on how to “short-circuit emotional reactivity”. Often, people are taught that the left brain is rational and the right brain is emotional; however, both sides of the brain have both thinking and emotional qualities, just in different ways.
Finding Balance Through Yoga
Yoga provides a wide variety of tools to help interrupt the emotional cycle and bring balance to one’s life. Different practices can be adapted to meet the needs of each individual, depending on their current energy state. If a person is feeling ramped up, a more energetic practice like breath-centric sun salutations may be beneficial. By beginning and ending each salute with hands at the heart center, this practice is infused with self-compassion and encourages letting go of what no longer serves them. With the right tools, anyone can find balance through yoga.
Slow, mindful breathing and meditation can be a great add-on to the practice, allowing for greater relaxation and insight.
Accessing Resources for Emotional Healing
Mental Health America of Fredericksburg, provides access to resources for emotional healing. For those seeking help with emotional overwhelm, an up-to-date list of providers accepting new patients is available. Additionally, heart-centered yoga and mindfulness practices can be used to develop emotional resilience over time. Those looking to take action toward self-healing can find compassionate support to guide them through the process. With the right resources and support, anyone can take steps towards positive change within themselves.
In closing, it is important to take the holidays as an opportunity to step away from potential sources of stress and prioritize self-care. A combination of healthy lifestyle choices and mindful practices can help reduce stress levels and bring balance into our lives. By holistic methods such as the Whole Brain Living approach or yoga-related activities, we can recognize and detach ourselves from negative emotional impulses to foster meaningful moments of joy and relaxation during this special time of year.
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