Hey Fam – maybe you’ve seen some of the videos I made the last few weeks of my own “symptoms” and sharing some insights on staying healthy (do you follow us on social media- please do as it means the world to me and who knows what you’ll catch me doing?)
This time of year has a way of stirring the pot — joy, nostalgia, stress, loneliness, excitement, overwhelm… sometimes all in the same hour.
And when our emotional world gets loud, our inner world tries to get our attention.
One thing most people don’t realize?
The lungs are the organ that process grief.
In Eastern medicine — and in what we see clinically all the time — the respiratory system is where unprocessed sadness, heaviness, or “the things we didn’t have space/make time to feel” often show up.
So as the holidays ramp up and life gets busier, it’s incredibly common for the body to whisper through:
- Tightness in the chest
- Extra mucus
- A lingering cough
- Shallow or restricted breathing
- Fatigue
- Or the classic “I think I’m getting sick” moment
Sometimes these “symptoms” are less about germs and more about your body saying:
“Hey… something inside needs space, and I need you to slow down long enough to hear me.”
This is why looking inward matters so deeply right now.
🌿 Pause + Check In
Ask yourself:
- What am I carrying right now?
- What emotions have I tucked away because there wasn’t space to feel them?
- What grief — even the subtle, quiet kind — is living in my lungs or breath?
You don’t have to fix anything.
Just naming what’s there lets your system exhale.
💗 Emotional Permission Softens the Body
When you give yourself space to feel, your body doesn’t have to produce congestion, coughing, or fatigue to get your attention.
Breath deepens.
The chest opens.
Your nervous system shifts from “protect” to “restore.”
🔥 Support Your Body + Emotions Together
Try combining inner awareness with gentle physical support:
- Deep, slow breathing
- Chest-opening stretches
- Lymphatic massage
- Warm herbal tea
- Five minutes of journaling
- Movement that opens the ribs + diaphragm
- Rest without guilt
All of these create space — physically and emotionally — so your lungs aren’t left carrying the load alone. It doesn’t always feel enjoyable but I promise it will be worth it. I often choose a trusted friend, my hubby or my therapist so I’m not processing alone and can make sure to keep unhealthy energy moving! Please reach out if you need resources – we know TONS of AMAZING counselors, therapists of all kinds! And of course we’re always here for you!
Blessings on a continued happy holidays!
Amy and the Moment of Truth Team
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