It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Right?

Written by: Justine Allen

🕗 Short & sweet

There’s Something About the New Year

Ah, the New Year. For those of us that follow the Gregorian calendar, January 1st represents a new calendar year. And, a new calendar year often represents a fresh start, new beginnings and a renewed sense of hope for the future. Cue the “New Year, new me” social media posts! But, if you’re struggling with your mental health, the magic of the season may feel less accessible as the clock strikes midnight.

Mindful of Mind Over Matter

And, our ability to feel the magic isn’t always a question of willpower, but rather about the ways in which our brain and body respond when life is life’ing – throwing ups and downs often with an intensity that feels overwhelming. Such experiences, especially for prolonged periods of time, can lead to anxiety, depression, chronic stress and trauma, and often results in our brain perceiving the world as unsafe. This can create a sense of disconnection as we alternate between states of hyperarousal (i.e., overwhelm or anxiety) and hypoarousal (i.e., numbness or depression), which can cause us to feel stuck. In this place, our nervous system operates in survival mode, using just enough energy to keep us going. So naturally, our bodies may have other ideas when it comes to those grand “New Year, new me” resolutions.

The Transformative Power of Micro Moments

We can, however, work this in our favour because the trick is actually in small moments. In the trauma field, we call this concept coined by Deb Dana, a glimmer – a micro moment of connection or regulation, which offers a cue for our nervous system to feel a sense of safety. Maybe it’s a comforting scent, the feel of a cozy blanket, a warm smile from another, or cuddling with a pet that offers you a moment of ease. Tuning into these moments communicates to the mind and body that safety and much more are possible, even in the midst of difficulty, which also allows us to cultivate hope. So, if you find yourself feeling daunted by what it means to enter a new year, know that you’re not alone, and remember that even the smallest moments are worth celebrating.

Warm wishes ❄️