November always feels like nature whispering, “Hey… slow down. Breathe. Remember what actually matters.”

And honestly? She’s right. This is the season of grounding, reflection, and coming back into your body after months of doing-all-the-things.

Gratitude gets tossed around like a cute Pinterest quote, but the real version — the deeper, embodied version — is a powerful healing tool. It settles the nervous system, clears mental fog, and brings you back into alignment with yourself. And yes, it’s 100% free. Imagine that.

Why Gratitude Works (Your Nervous System Loves It)

When you pause long enough to acknowledge something good — even something tiny — your body shifts out of stress mode.
Heart rate slows.
Breath steadies.
Your shoulders drop out of your ears.
It’s your vagus nerve basically saying, “Thank you, finally.”

Gratitude redirects energy from chaos to coherence. It reminds you that you’re safe. Present. Grounded.

And trust me, your body needs that more than another to-do list.

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A Simple Gratitude Ritual

Here’s a grounding practice you can weave into your mornings or evenings:

1. Sit. Breathe. Slow down.
Just 60 seconds. Yes, you have a minute.

2. Place one hand on your heart and one on your belly.
Feel yourself.

3. Say three things you’re grateful for — but keep them specific.
Not “family.”
Try: “I’m grateful for the conversation I had with my granddaughter today.”

4. Add an essential oil to anchor the moment.
Aroma = memory. Memory = shifts.
Try:

• Frankincense for presence
• Bergamot for emotional openness
• Myrrh for grounding
• Adaptiv if your brain feels like a browser with too many tabs open

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A Grounding Yoga Sequence for November

Keep it simple:

• Child’s Pose
• Cat/Cow
• Warrior II
• Wide-Legged Forward Fold
• Seated Twist
• Legs Up the Wall
• Savasana with slow breathing

This sequence calms the mind and reconnects you with your center — which, let’s be real, gets lost somewhere between making lunches, answering emails, and being the designated family therapist.

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Reflection Before the Holiday Chaos

Before the world turns into a frenzy of sales, sugar, and unrealistic expectations, take a few minutes each day to root yourself into gratitude. Not the forced kind — the felt kind.

This is your season to breathe deeper, ground harder, and reconnect to what nourishes you most.

If you want support building these rituals into your routine, book a private yoga session or email me at Kim@KimHessYoga.com to get my schedule of events. I’ve got you.