older man arms outstretched breathing deeply
red gold incense burner in glass ashtray

It’s December, and the holiday season is in full swing for many of us around the world. Normally this means getting together with family and friends, a joyous (and stressful) series of events. Our lives are hectic already, yet we ask our brain to substantially increase its mental capacity as deadlines approach to be ready for parties, gifting, cooking, and wardrobe assessment. This year again we might be doubly anxious as we worry about those get-togethers and new questions we try to answer. Is it safe, does a vaccine help, should we wear a mask?

Whatever worry we choose as primary, one thing we can agree on is that this is not a normal holiday season.

snowflake ornament rainbow colors with red background

More than ever it’s important to take some time out for ourselves.

So take a deep breath, and while you do so let your eyes rest on something beautiful.

It might be a painting, a screensaver, a swatch of cloth you like, or a picture of a toy car with a tree on top. The fuzzy background lets your eyes stop working so hard to focus.

Now breath deeply and slowly three times as your eyes rest. Let them close if necessary.

This only takes five or six minutes. We all think that we don’t have time to stop and breathe. OK, try one breath, and then maybe two. It won’t hurt you. It might even help to pull in extra oxygen into your lungs, feed your brain, and give your body some fuel. It might lower your blood pressure and anxiety a little, too.


Spark Members! – the November Creative Spark is available in the members area of Music is Brain Food.

If you missed the November Zoom Session, you can see what you missed! Log in to the Members’ Content Area and enjoy!

Psst…. December’s Talk is on December 19, 2021 at 4:00pm Eastern….. (look below)

The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Become a member and join us for the Session!


The Ageless Mind project depends on support like yours to offer this and other programs for body and brain well-being. There are several ways you can support our initiatives!