Hibernation, or ‘wintering’, is appealing in theory, but in a digitally connected age the opposite often happens, and we spiral into depletion.

Without anchors, winter becomes synonymous with work rather than rest.

This slow December pocket is a gift: drop the resolutions, choose a direction, and let tiny daily cues teach your nervous system a calmer way to live in 2026.

At this time of year, many of us begin to reflect not only on what we have done but on how we have felt while doing it.

We notice the patterns that supported us and the ones that quietly depleted us. Underneath these reflections is a deeper question: what helps us stay steady enough to meet the world with clarity rather than strain?

At this time of year, many of us begin to reflect not only on what we have done but on how we have felt while doing it.

We notice the patterns that supported us and the ones that quietly depleted us. Underneath these reflections is a deeper question: what helps us stay steady enough to meet the world with clarity rather than strain?

When you say you won’t set deadlines at this time of year… but find yourself in a mad rush that culminates this week and next.

Modern life rarely presents physical danger, yet emails, deadlines, Christmas shopping and constant updates can trigger the same stress response.

The body reacts as if something urgent is happening, even when we are sitting still.

In Stop the Spiral, we describe the Safety Loop as a simple way to understand this pattern.

Identities and tribes help us belong, but they can also drain us. When an identity feels ill-fitting, it creates discomfort. It narrows perspective and depletes energy.

Awareness begins the release. Take the Free Quiz to show you how.

Can we envision a future where change isn’t a battlefield?

The language of social and environmental transformation is often the language of conflict.

What if resilience is not the power to fight harder, but the capacity to lead more steadily?

Why should we need to navigate identity politics simply to make choices about what we eat, how we travel, or how we spend our free time?

On one hand, we want to communicate hope; to inspire others to engage, innovate, and believe in the possibility of a better future.

On the other hand, it is painful to witness the institutional failings of the world’s most crucial climate forum repeat themselves year after year, as the impacts of climate change hit ever closer to home.

We outsource our confidence to experts or social media, and the result is stress.

Step One of Climate Calm™ reminds us to stop, centre, and listen.

Because on some level, we already know what to do.

We live in a culture that rewards speed.

It took me more than three years of research and healing to uncover what I probably should have already known: the power of a pause.

I used to believe my nemesis was time.

If I could just fit more in, another meeting, another campaign call while running my son’s bath, another late-night push on climate policy, then maybe we could fix the planet.

But the truth was, I was in permanent firefighting mode.

Prioritising our wellbeing is about knowing when it is a 'yes' and when it is a 'no' or 'not right now'.

This protects our precious energy and allows us to amplify our positive impact when we strategically choose to move.

The secret is….

This month, I joined the launch of the Positive Tipping Points Toolkit, hosted by the University of Exeter and the Green Futures Network. Supported by world-leading research, this initiative inspires changemakers to integrate tipping point practices into both their wellbeing and their work.

This matters for our mental health and for the climate.

A UK survey by the Mental Health Foundation found that 60% of adults feel anxious about the environmental crisis, and many report that everyday actions, such as walking instead of driving or reducing food waste, help them feel more in control.

The news that NASA may shut down its carbon-monitoring satellites has caused understandable alarm.

These satellites have been described as the gold standard for tracking carbon dioxide and monitoring climate change.

It’s a natural time to launch new projects and ambitions. But with fresh energy often comes the risk of busyness tipping into stress. To help with that, I want to share a simple, life-changing practice.

Hospitals have reported surges in admissions for heat exhaustion, cardiovascular strain, and respiratory challenges. The pressure on healthcare systems underscores the reality of this season’s stress.

It highlights the importance of resilience-building, both in terms of climate resilience and personal resilience, in the years to come.

It’s not lazy, it’s scientifically proven.

Here’s your excuse to kick back and relax.