The holidays are supposed to be joyful — but for most of us they feel like a pressure cooker. On this episode of Galesburg In Focus, Chris Postin talks with Becky Mowers, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and co-founder of Crossroads Counseling and Life Coaching in Galesburg, about what’s really happening inside your brain when holiday stress hits.
You’ll learn:
- Why holiday stress feels so much more intense than regular stress (it’s neurological, not just emotional)
- How sensory overload, disrupted routines, perfectionism, family triggers, grief, and financial pressure all gang up on your nervous system
- The surprising truth that you can’t “think” your way calm — you have to calm your body first
- The vagus-nerve “light switch” trick that shuts down fight-or-flight in minutes
- Practical, no-guilt strategies: deep breathing, 10-minute morning planning, driving separately, quick boundary scripts, simplifying gifts, and more
- Special tips for families with neurodivergent kids and for anyone carrying grief through the season
If you’ve ever felt like the holidays hijack your peace, this conversation will give you the tools to take it back — and focus on the moments that actually matter.
Guest: Becky Mowers, LCSW
Crossroads Counseling & Life Coaching
575 N. Kellogg St., Galesburg