How long does it take you to calm down?
When I find myself in a stressful situation, I react like anyone else: fear, panic, anger, even boastfulness can all surface. I’m no exception to the human experience. But over time, I’ve developed a memory bank of calmness I can tap into at any moment. Through a dedication to my own practice of peace, I’ve learned to train my nervous system to respond to stress by visualizing and transporting my mind into my most peaceful moments. In those memories, there’s quiet, stillness, and a feeling of being untethered from anxiety.
For me, reaching that place doesn’t just happen automatically. The first emotions always hit hard. I feel the overwhelm, the pressure, and that immediate surge of reaction in my chest. But once the initial wave settles, even just a little, I pause. I take a conscious moment to redirect myself. And in that pause, I access one of my deepest memories of peace: I can feel myself in the warmth of the float tank, surrounded in silence. My arms drift overhead, my body weightless, and there is absolutely no anxiety, just that expansive, almost impossible stillness. The deepest relaxation imaginable. It’s like my whole nervous system remembers, Oh… we know how to be okay.
Here’s where science backs us up: the brain doesn’t always distinguish between what’s happening now and what’s vividly remembered. This is why trauma can feel so present, and why, with practice, peaceful memories can be just as powerful. Consistency in your wellness practice matters. Neuroscience calls this neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself based on repeated experiences. Just as repeated stress or trauma can create strong neural pathways that keep us stuck in cycles of anxiety, repeated moments of calm can forge new pathways toward peace.
Think of your wellness routine not just as untangling old knots, but as actively weaving new threads. The more deeply you experience peace and serenity, whether in the float tank, the sauna, or simply being still, the more accessible those states become. You’re building a kind of muscle memory for your mind and body. When stress hits, you can tap into those pathways, bringing the felt sense of calm into the present moment, even when the world around you feels chaotic.
The holidays tend to amplify everything. There is more joy, more grief, more noise, and sometimes all at once. It’s normal for emotions to run higher and for old patterns to resurface. That’s why now, more than ever, it’s important to prioritize practices that help you regulate, reset, and return to yourself.
At Drift, we’re here to help you quiet the noise, find clarity, and support your nervous system as you navigate the season.
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season,
Kelly and the Drift Crew