The end of the year often brings excitement, but it can also feel heavy and exhausting. For some of us who have lost loved ones this year, the holiday season is the first of many without them. Also the pressures of expectation, preparation, and connection can build up, leaving us drained and burnt out.

At Living Koko, we believe in nurturing not just the body but the spirit too. Sometimes we may not be physcially busy but our brain is just exhausted, feeling fogged up and in need of more support. I wanted to explore four common signs of stress and some really simple strategies I have been using for a to navigate this time and connect back with my body.

Trouble Sleeping This is a really common one and something we can easily dismiss talking through with our loved ones.  With some of my close friends we always acknowledged the % of our own batteries when we meet up. This reminds us that we have lives that can need our attention and even though catching up fills our cups we hardly walk in at 100%.  This also reminds us to give eachother grace and space.   When showing signs of restlessness, overthinking, or waking up tired can signal that your mind needs peace.  

Try this: Dedicate 10 minutes to unwind before bed—journal, stretch, or sip a calming tea. I create a calming tea, sometimes our Cacao tea and Ginger…and other times a simple lemongrass tea, I stretch from head to toes and thank every part of my body as I stretch it before curling up in bed.

Emotional Swings Going from zero to 100 is easily done with the pressures of the silly season. Sometimes family get togethers are the most dreaded day of the year. Let’s acknowledge that these times are the greatest teachers. Feeling irritable, teary, or unusually sensitive? These can be signs of emotional fatigue. Again give yourself some grace. There are a lot of things at play in the world/cosmo that can affect you and those around you.

Try this: Take a moment to pause, when you feel your emotions rise…pause. Take a big breath in and name what is coming up for you. Sadness, Grief, Irritation, step outside and take 10 big breaths of fresh air. You don’t need to brush it away, just accept it, name it and let it play out, be mindful not to project it. . Breathe deeply. Even stepping outside for fresh air can help.

Physical Tension My upper neck and back holds my tension, physical tension can be neck pain, headaches, or an upset stomach? Stress often shows up in the body. Have you noticed this within yourself, maybe even when a situation or persons name is metntioned

Try this: A warm bath, gentle movement, or grounding rituals like enjoying a warm cup of cacao can soothe tension.

Feeling Disconnected When the weight of everything makes me withdraw, it’s a sign to reconnect—with yourself and others. What withdraw looks like for me… doom scrolling, avoiding what I need to do and then watching my mental health deteriorate as I kick myself for not doing anything. (or my husband). Hearing some really negative narrative’s come through as my burn out and exhausted brain takes over and I am no longer listening to my body and honouring myself.

Try this: Reach out to someone you trust or engage in an activity that lights you up. I started our Pasifika Movement and Cacao monthly events to ensure I spent time dancing under the moonlight, barefoot with my sisters. You may not want to go that far but a barefoot walk with someone you trust can help bring you back to centre and reconnect with yourself but also nature.