The Art of Slowing Down — Why Your Brain Needs a Breather Before the Holidays
Are you feeling it? That subtle shift in the air when October rolls in — a mix of crisp mornings, darker evenings, and the quiet whisper that the year is winding down.
But while the trees are shedding what no longer serves them, many of us are ramping up. Deadlines, school schedules, extra commitments, and the looming hum of the holiday season start to crowd the edges of our calendars.
Before we even notice, our nervous systems are shouting, “Hey, remember me?”
The scents of fall are in the air.
Take a moment to breathe in the bright, refreshing and crisp air and release the tension in your shoulders.
🧠 Why Slowing Down Matters
Your brain is wired for rhythm, not constant motion. When we stay “on” for too long, our stress response doesn’t get the memo that the danger has passed. That’s when irritability, brain fog, and emotional exhaustion creep in.
Slowing down isn’t about doing nothing — it’s about allowing space for your body and mind to catch up to your life. Think of it as letting your system exhale.
⚡ When Stress Sticks Around: What Happens in the Brain
Your brain and body are designed to handle short bursts of stress. You see a deadline coming, your brain signals “go time,” and your body releases cortisol — the main stress hormone — to sharpen focus and get you moving.
In small doses, cortisol is incredibly useful. It wakes you up, helps you solve problems, and keeps you alert.
But when stress becomes constant, cortisol doesn’t have time to reset — and your brain starts to change its wiring in response.
Here’s what’s going on behind the scenes:
1️⃣ The Amygdala Gets Louder
Your brain’s alarm system (the amygdala) becomes hypersensitive, reacting to even small stressors as if they’re major threats. That’s why little things — a missed text, an overflowing inbox — suddenly feel huge.
2️⃣ The Prefrontal Cortex Gets Quieter
This is your “calm thinking” area — the part that helps you reason, empathize, and make choices. Chronic cortisol exposure mutes its activity, which is why it’s harder to focus, remember things, or regulate emotions when you’re overwhelmed.
3️⃣ The Hippocampus Gets Tired
This memory center helps you store positive experiences and calm your stress response. High cortisol can cause it to shrink slightly over time, making it harder to feel safe, even when things are okay.
4️⃣ The Body Follows the Brain
You might notice tension in your shoulders, shallow breathing, or restlessness. These are your body’s ways of saying, “I’m stuck in survival mode.”
The good news? Your brain is incredibly adaptable. Each small moment of slowing down — a deep breath, a pause before answering, a mindful sip of tea — sends a signal of safety to your nervous system. Cortisol lowers, your prefrontal cortex wakes up, and your body starts to trust that it’s okay to relax.
“Each time you slow down, you’re not being lazy — you’re teaching your brain what safety feels like.”
🌿 Simple Ways to Ease the Pace
Here are three ways to slow your roll without hitting pause on your life:
Micro-Pauses: Between tasks, take 15 seconds to breathe deeply or notice three sounds around you. It’s like pressing the “refresh” button on your brain.
Sensory Grounding: Feel the warmth of your coffee mug, the crunch of leaves underfoot, the texture of your sweater. Grounding through your senses helps you stay present.
Boundaried Busyness: Before you say “yes,” ask, “Does this add peace or pressure?” Protecting your energy isn’t selfish — it’s sustainable.
Scary Things That Aren’t Ghosts 👻
Let’s name them:
Overcommitting
People-pleasing
Ignoring your body’s cues
Guilt for resting
Believing you have to “earn” calm
These habits haunt our nervous systems more than any haunted house ever could. The good news? Awareness is your best spellbreaker.
So this October, instead of rushing toward the year’s finish line, try walking it slowly — with intention, curiosity, and maybe even a little gratitude for the messy beauty of your human pace.
Even witches need rest days between spells. 🧙♀️✨
