How to Shift the Atmosphere at the Holiday Gathering

“Pretty much every single day between now and January 2nd has an elevated emotion attached to it.” In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession digs into why the holidays can feel like so much more than twinkle lights and to-do lists. Through her snow globe metaphor and stories from her own life, she explains how our nervous systems get shaken up by memories, money stress, schedules, and family dynamics, and why that makes connection harder just when we need it most. Rebecca blends neuroscience, scripture, and a very real family reunion story to show how temporal integration, sensory cues, and emotional memory shape our experience long before we walk into the room. Then she offers a different way in: daily stillness, breath, gratitude, and a conscious choice to bring love instead of fear into gatherings, so you become a calming, contagious presence rather than another spark in the chaos. In this episode, you’ll learn:How your nervous system “predicts” holiday gatherings and why you feel activated before you even arriveSimple stillness and pre-game practices that keep you regulated, present, and connected during the seasonHow choosing love over fear can shift the emotional atmosphere of your family or team, without changing anyone else Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction (00:43) Holiday season emotions and mixed expectations (02:10) Understanding how your body responds emotionally (03:41) Daily stillness routines to stay grounded (05:28) How your brain predicts and scans for safety (06:24) The power of sensory memories during holidays (08:59) Choosing love over fear in family gatherings (13:13) Personal family reunion story and mindset shift (20:45) Practical tips for navigating family gatherings (27:14) Reflections, questions, and next steps Connect with Rebecca: https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/