December looks light and festive, but for many women it’s the month where the body quietly absorbs more than usual. With the heat, family expectations, end-of-year pressure and an overstimulated nervous system, it’s common to feel tight, emotional or drained without knowing why.

 If you’ve noticed more stiffness through your neck, back, hips or jaw recently, here’s what’s really going on.

1. The summer heat puts extra pressure on the nervous system

 Hot weather makes your body work harder. Hydration drops quickly, sleep can be disrupted, and muscles fatigue sooner. When the body feels overloaded, the nervous system shifts into a protective state. That often appears as:

•  morning stiffness

• shallow breathing

• irritability

• tight shoulders and jaw

• poor sleep

 Heat affects physical and emotional regulation far more than most people realise.

2. December carries emotional load that settles in the body

 While everyone talks about Christmas events and celebrations, the background work usually falls on women. Planning, organising, remembering, managing family dynamics and carrying the mental load all contribute to physical tension.

 Common emotional patterns and where they show up:

•  jaw: holding things in or pushing through overwhelm

• chest: pressure, responsibility, worry

• hips: feeling stuck or unsupported

• back: carrying too much for too long

 The body reflects what the mind pushes aside.

 3. Overthinking tightens the muscles

 December tends to trigger reflection and internal pressure, finishing the year well, getting everything done, making everything “just right”. The nervous system doesn’t distinguish between external stress and internal stress. Both tighten muscles and shorten the breath.

 4. Bowen therapy helps the body unwind and reset

 Bowen therapy encourages the nervous system to shift out of stress mode. Clients often describe feeling lighter, softer through the jaw and shoulders, calmer emotionally and clearer mentally. It helps your body release tension that has been accumulating for months.

 If your body has been whispering for help or shouting, this is the time to reset

 Supporting your nervous system now means stepping into the new year with more clarity, ease and steadiness.

 Subscribe to find out the next Bowen and sound and pop-up clinic date.