For many people, Advent and Christmas are a special but also challenging time. Preparations, shopping, year-end financial statements, family gatherings, etc. can create pressure – and the magic of Christmas can quickly give way to stress.
A simple and effective method for maintaining inner peace and serenity is Self-Havening®. This gentle technique uses touch to calm the nervous system by generating delta waves in the brain and activating happiness hormones.
Here’s how it works:
When you are stressed, rate your stress level on a scale of 0–10 (0 = no stress, 10 = maximum stress).
1. Havening Touch: Cross your arms and stroke down from your shoulders to your upper arms with your hands, about one movement per second. Repeat this movement evenly. You can also rub your hands together as if you were washing them.
2. Visualize & hum: Continue with the Havening Touch and imagine yourself climbing a staircase with 20 steps, counting slowly from 1 to 20. With each step, the stress decreases. Then hum a song—this stimulates the vagus nerve, our “anti-stress nerve”—and then gently move your eyes from left to right a few times.
3. Come back: Take a deep breath in and out through your mouth and open your eyes. Consciously look around you.
4. Check: Check your stress level again and repeat the exercise if you still feel stressed.
This allows you to quickly and effectively regulate yourself in the midst of hecticness, expectations, or family turmoil—and find your peace.
Havening means “to bring to a safe haven.” Self-Havening is a simple and safe application of Havening Techniques®, a neuroscience-based therapy method for reducing stress and strengthening inner resources, as well as for resolving trauma symptoms, anxiety, chronic pain, and other mental and physical blockages. For more information: www.havening-schweiz.ch