Nov 25, 2025
Is this not the season of overwhelm? Between the hectic schedule of keeping up with the kids' school/sports, performing at work, Thanksgiving plans, Christmas gifts, and the million other things that lie on the impending horizon, it is so easy to get overwhelmed. Oftentimes, we lose track of the stress and disassociate it with progress in care. It is so important to understand that the overwhelm will affect your health. This is why during this season, people will get colds and flus, gain unexpected weight, sink into a depressed state, or have old aches and pains resurface.
This is why the overwhelm is important to take head-on. So, take a deep breath and let your worries evaporate. This week, we are going over the antidote to overwhelm:
Keep your nervous system balanced. Stressful times lead to asking more of your brain and body. During these times, you can’t shy away of providing the support your body needs to maintain a high level of function. When you sacrifice the time to take care of yourself, you lower your bandwidth to function and stress piles on. When you commit to healing, you increase your bandwidth and your body thanks you. Maintaining your adjustment frequency allows your nervous system to fire properly to your body, allowing you to heal from the negative stressors.
Check your list (twice). Sorry guys–I know that this is November and it’s still early for a Christmas reference. But checking off your list is key to not feeling overwhelmed. The problem oftentimes is that we leave a million things on our lists that are left partially done. Then we do mental gymnastics on how we will finish all of this stuff in time. Instead, focus on one thing and get it done. Cross it off the list, so that you can move on emotionally and mentally to secure the space on your bandwidth.
BREATHE. When you feel overwhelmed, find time to slow down. When you are at home, take 5-10 minutes to yourself. Lay on your back. If you can find a wall and put your legs up in the air against the wall, that’s bonus points. Place your hands on your stomach and actively try to breathe with your abdomen (and not your chest) by trying to bring your belly button up towards the ceiling. Breathe in for five seconds, hold for five seconds, and exhale for 10 seconds. This is a great reset for the mind and body.
Break a sweat. Movement is so crucial during this time. During the summer, most people are great about getting outdoors and getting movement in. Movement helps to burn cortisol off of the hippocampus and protect your brain from the effects of overwhelm and stress. Find a buddy and do a HIIT circuit or go for a walk outside.
Remember that we are human, and not everything will be perfect. It's easy to get caught up with expectations during this season. We want Thanksgiving dinner to be perfect, we need to find the perfect gift for every person, etc. Give grace to yourself and those around you. Perfection is an impossible standard for every human being. There will be things that are beyond your control or capacity and accepting that fact will allow you to carry on with a valiant effort to enjoy the season.
Get the vitamins that your body needs during this time. What supplements should you be taking during the winter months? I’m glad you asked! First off, check with your doctors if your body is even in a state to start incorporating supplementation. If your nervous system is in a sympathetic dominant state or in an exhausted state, the body has a difficult time assimilating nutrients, especially if you are taking a diverse array of supplements.
For supplements that are key during the winter months, think of things that help keep the internal furnace burning high. Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2, CoQ10, Vitamin E, Desiccated Liver, and Adrenal Restoration are great options to keep the fire alive during the winter months.
List out things that you are grateful for. Despite the speed of the season, this is meant to be a time when life should be slowing down. Reflection forces this “slow down” in stopping and considering all that you have to be grateful for. There’s a reason why this upcoming holiday is called Thanksgiving. When people express gratitude, neurologically, they shift away from the amygdala (the fear center of the brain) and start using the prefrontal cortex more, which allows for more mental stability.
With this season, understand that overwhelm is almost expected. Life is in full speed ahead during these times; therefore, it requires intention to be able to weather the winter ahead. Doing these seven things is a great beginning to the end of the year. Let’s end it strong!!
Stay Frosty,
Dr. Nate
