December 26 is a strange day.

The intensity of Christmas has passed, but the pull of the New Year hasn’t quite arrived. The calendar tells us we should be gearing up for change, yet our bodies often tell a different story.

Tired. Over stimulated . Reflective. Quiet.

At RTJ Wellness, we see this time not as a problem to fix, but as an opportunity to listen.

When the Nervous System Needs a Break

Even joyful seasons place demands on the nervous system.

More conversations.
More schedules.
More stimulation.
Less routine.

From a physiological standpoint, this matters. Our nervous system doesn’t distinguish between “good” stress and “bad” stress, it simply responds to demand. After a socially and emotionally full season, it’s common to feel depleted, unfocused, or emotionally tender.

That doesn’t mean anything is wrong.

It means your system is doing exactly what it’s designed to do: asking for recovery.

These Days Aren’t for Reinvention

There’s a quiet pressure that shows up right after Christmas, the sense that we should already be planning how to be better in the year ahead.

More disciplined.
More productive.
More motivated.

But meaningful change rarely begins with pressure. It begins with awareness.

The days between Christmas and New Year aren’t ideal for overhauling your life. They’re ideal for noticing what the last few weeks revealed.

• When did you feel most steady?
• When did you feel overwhelmed?
• What supported your energy?
• What drained it more than you expected?

These questions aren’t about judgment. They’re about information.

A Lesson from the Road

On one of our long North American bike trips, the hardest lesson wasn’t pushing through headwinds.

It was learning when to stop.

There were days when riding harder didn’t help. The most effective choice was to sit quietly, take in the surroundings, and wait for conditions to change. Movement came later, when it made sense again.

Life works much the same way.

These in-between days are not about momentum. They’re about recovery and recalibration.

Rest Is Not Falling Behind

In our work with educators, leaders, and individuals, one belief shows up again and again: that rest means losing ground.

The science tells a different story.

Recovery is not the opposite of progress. It’s a prerequisite for it. When we allow the nervous system to downshift, we improve clarity, emotional regulation, sleep quality, and decision-making.

In other words, rest prepares us to move forward with intention instead of urgency.

Awareness Before Action

January will bring plenty of opportunities to set goals, create plans, and build new habits. Those steps matter, but they work best when they’re informed by what you already know about yourself.

Right now, the most valuable work is simply paying attention.

Notice:

• What helped you feel calm
• What felt overwhelming and unsustainable
• What you want more of
• What you’re ready to let go of

This kind of awareness is not passive. It’s foundational.

A Gentle RTJ Wellness Reflection

You don’t need a new version of yourself today.

You don’t need to optimize, overhaul, or prove anything.

You need space to listen.

The quiet insights that emerge during these in-between days often become the most reliable guides when the new year begins.

If you allow them.

Reflection question:
What is your body asking for right now?

RTJ Wellness