Permission to Pause: Rest as a Radical Holiday Practice

By Dr. Kristin Anderson, Psychologist and Kent Wellness Partner

In a season that celebrates light, generosity, and gathering, rest often gets left behind. December tends to bring a rush of activity—shopping, planning, hosting, preparing. Even the quiet moments can come with a whisper of guilt: Shouldn’t I be doing something?

But what if rest wasn’t the opposite of joy and connection—what if it was the doorway?

Many of us move through the holidays on autopilot. We juggle expectations of our own and others’, navigate family dynamics, and try to preserve beloved traditions while also adapting to change. Even positive experiences—like travel, festivities, or reconnecting—can place stress on our nervous systems, especially when we don’t allow time to downshift.

Our bodies are not built for constant stimulation. Rest isn’t laziness—it’s biology. And something else that’s biological? The pull to rest in winter.

It’s ironic—maybe even a bit cruel—that our most festive season comes when the days are shortest and the cold settles in. We are biologically wired to rest more in winter. Not to hibernate like a bear (sometimes we wish), perhaps, but certainly to slow down, recover, and prepare to be renewed—not for January 1, but for spring.

When we rest in conscious, nourishing ways, our systems reset. Tension eases. Breath slows. The mind begins to unhook from the swirl. Rest restores our capacity for presence, creativity, and connection—not just for ourselves, but for those around us.

Here in Kent, nature models rest beautifully. The trees have let go of their leaves. The bears retreat (we hope!). The pace slows, even if our calendars don’t. What if we mirrored the land, just a little more? Even five minutes of intentional stillness can change how we meet the day.

Try this: Take a “pause break.”
– Spend a day—or even an hour—without devices.
– Curl up by the fire and read or laugh with friends, with no agenda.
– Stare into the flames and notice what shapes emerge.
– Gaze out at the trees—some bare, some still holding on—and trust the timing of letting go.

That’s it. No app. No productivity. Just a soft moment to come home to yourself.

Rest is not something we have to earn. It’s something we are designed for. And during a season that constantly tells us to do more, buy more, and be more, giving ourselves permission to pause can feel almost revolutionary.

This holiday season, choose rest. Breathe. Unclench. Let go of the need to have it all figured out. Let your body lead the way. You may find that in doing less, you feel more.

To learn more about Dr. K’s approach to grounded living, connection, and care, visit: www.kentpsychologist.com

In wellness,

Dr K