How do you gently move into the holidays so your hair doesn't catch on fire?

As Thanksgiving, the winter holidays and travel edge closer, I notice that many things in my life seems to be moving, shifting, changing... just when I think I'm at capacity, I'm challenged with something new.

No matter where you are stuck or overwhelmed, how does remembering to turn towards things you know and trust before your bursts into flames promote your optimal health?

Lives full to bursting looks different depending on where you sit.

A key employee is creating protective roadblocks within an expanding market and an HR intervention needs to be carried out in the next two days.

You are expecting 23 guests for the holidays and your furnace just stopped functioning. Yes, below zero temperatures are expected. Starting tonight.

Your child's teacher called to say that no homework has been turned in since October. Huh?

Someone bumped into your car in the parking ramp and left a dent, but not a note.

And when you finally get home and take off your shoes, you step right into cat throw-up.

Whoa... slow down, I can feel the explosion about to happen.

Imminent "explosion" can feel like a migraine, like forgetting obvious details, like snapping at coworkers, like picking fights with your spouse, like losing all creativity, like running the third red light of the day, like not being able to sleep.

What to do when you are full to bursting?

When I am about to explode into flames, I remember that I can turn to things I know and trust as grounding agents in my life. For me, it's consciously returning to my 7:00 a.m. outdoor run (even if I walk the whole way), then getting directly onto my meditation cushion, and putting everything in my head down on paper. Then I text my good friend who will send me "heart" emojis.

Ah... that feels a little better already.

Then I am better able to remember my other tools - pulling apart complex issues into steps and turning to key people for support.

And now that feels even more manageable.... I can do this. One baby step at a time.

Occasionally feeling that I am going to explode in flames is an unavoidable part of living a whole-hearted, full life. And, I can choose, with self-awareness, to turn back to those things that ground me.

Turning towards optimal health, including consciously reducing toxic stress, is a choice - one I can make for myself.