Healing Through the Holidays

It’s holiday season again.

For some, that means twinkling lights and festive traditions. For others—especially those living with chronic illness like sickle cell—it can feel like a swirl of expectations, fatigue, and invisible burdens that get heavier under the weight of “holiday cheer.”

As a hematology nurse practitioner, a mom of three, and a believer in holistic healing, I see it every year: people pushing themselves to stay afloat during the holidays, especially those living with chronic illness like sickle cell disease.

I’ve seen countless patients smile through pain flares, fatigue, or hospital stays. I’ve seen parents juggle last-minute appointments while trying to make the season magical for their children. I’ve watched warriors carry what no one else can see—all while being told to “enjoy the holidays.” The pressure to show up, smile big, and "make the most" of the season can quietly exhaust even the strongest among us.

I’ve worked with patients who feel torn between attending a family gathering and conserving their energy… between indulging in tradition and honoring their bodies’ current needs. And I get it—because even without a chronic condition, I’ve found myself caught in the swirl of “shoulds.”

This month’s blog is a gentle invitation to explore holistic healing through a grounded lens. No fluff. No guilt-tripping. Just real, doable steps to help you feel more like yourself in a season that often demands too much.

The Holidays Can Be a Trigger

The pressure to feel joyful when your body is struggling can make you feel even more alone. You may not have the bandwidth for family gatherings, or you might push through the pain so you don’t let anyone down—only to crash later, unseen.

There’s also the emotional weight: grief for what your body can’t do this year, fear of a flare disrupting plans, and guilt for needing rest when others expect your presence.

We don’t talk about this enough. But we should.

What If This Season Looked Different?

What if healing became the rhythm of your holidays—not the thing you do after?

Not a punishment. Not a retreat.

A return to what your body, mind, and soul need.

It could look like:

• Taking five deep breaths before you say yes to another event

• Choosing presence over performance

• Saying “I need a minute” without apologizing

• Lying down when your body says 'enough'

• Asking for help with errands

• Saying no without guilt (No is a full sentence!)

• Letting yourself feel the feels!

• Drinking your tea slowly. With both hands. Just for you

Healing Beyond the Physical

Holistic healing invites us to care for all layers—body, mind, and spirit. For many with sickle cell or other chronic conditions, this approach can be powerful. It doesn’t replace medical care, it complements it.

This might look like:

• Breathwork before appointments

• Gentle stretching to release tension

• Sound baths or calming music to soothe the nervous system

• Journaling through hard emotions

• Resting before you’re on empty

Simple Practices to Return to Yourself

Here are a few tools I return to, especially this time of year:

• Golden Light Breath:

  • Close your eyes.

  • Breathe in through your nose and imagine golden light pouring down your spine.

  • Exhale slowly and feel it melting tension.

  • Repeat 3–5 times.

• Energetic Boundaries Reset:

  • Visualize a gentle cocoon of light around your body.

  • Say (out loud or in your heart), “I release what’s not mine to carry.”

• Daily Grounding Pause:

  • Before starting your day or after a triggering moment, stand or sit still and place your feet flat on the ground.

  • Imagine roots extending deep into the earth and say, “I’m safe to slow down. I’m safe to feel.”

These practices are nervous system support, energetic hygiene, and body awareness tools I wish every patient had access to!

Permission to Honor Your Energy

The holidays can bring up grief, joy, pressure, and even guilt. But this season, I invite you to make room for your energy as much as your obligations.

You don’t have to attend every gathering. You don’t have to perform wellness. You don’t have to be anything but real.

And if you’re feeling depleted, I want you to know: your body is wise. You’re not lazy, broken, or failing—you’re responding. And there are gentle ways to come back home to yourself.

Just for a moment. Ask yourself:

What do I actually need?

What can I let go of?

What would nourish me today?

Honor the messages. Not just the flares and fatigue, but the cravings for stillness, gentleness, and space.

A Healing Reminder

Whether you’re lighting a hanukkiah, decorating a tree, or simply trying to make it through the week—remember: your healing is allowed to come first.

You are allowed to set boundaries that others may not understand.

You are allowed to celebrate differently—or not at all.

You are allowed to choose rest as your ritual.

As we close out the year, may you choose presence over pressure, grace over guilt, and healing over hustle.

You deserve to feel good!