Thursday

"I take time to honor how far I’ve come this year."

Welcome to Thursday! Today, we're chatting about:

• Taking time for yourself during holiday gatherings

• Winter dinnertime changes

• This blender makes smoothies easier

• The health benefits of gratitude

• How to use AI skills at work

Finding Calm When Gatherings Get Overwhelming

Holiday gatherings can be heart-filling and overstimulating at the exact same time. Hours of conversation, shared meals, overlapping personalities, and a schedule that never really slows down can leave the brain buzzing long before anyone’s ready to admit they’re tired. Wanting a breather isn’t a sign of being ungrateful. It’s a sign the nervous system needs a minute to reset.

Small, intentional pauses can help. Offering to walk the dog, refill drinks, or run a simple errand creates a natural moment of quiet without causing worry or questions. These gentle getaways give the body space to decompress and return to the room feeling a little lighter. Even moving to a different part of the house (checking on the kids’ table or helping in the kitchen) can soften the intensity of nonstop conversation.

Not every break has to be solo, either. Low-stimulation activities, like a movie, a short drive, or a quiet walk, let everyone stay connected without constant social energy. And when mental bandwidth feels thin, a brief, honest boundary (“I need a short reset”) can keep the day from tipping into overwhelm.

Holidays feel better when there’s room to breathe. A few small pauses can make the whole season easier to enjoy.

Why Earlier Dinners Feel Better in Winter

Shorter days can make evenings feel heavier: sleep comes earlier, energy dips quicker, and routines start to shift, whether anyone planned for them or not. That’s why many sleep and gut experts suggest taking a closer look at dinnertime during the winter months. When melatonin rises earlier, the body begins winding down sooner, and eating late can confuse that rhythm. A big meal right before bed can also make falling asleep harder and increase nighttime discomfort.

Moving dinner a little earlier supports what the body is already trying to do: slow down. Research shows that eating between 5 and 7 p.m. helps stabilize hunger cues, supports healthier blood sugar patterns, and reduces the chance of going to bed feeling too full. Lighter, earlier meals also give the digestive system time to settle before sleep, which can make evenings feel gentler and more restorative.

This isn’t about perfection, just paying attention to timing. A small shift can help evenings flow more smoothly, especially during a season when the body naturally craves warmth, steadiness, and rest.

This Blender Makes Smoothies Easier (We Tried It)

Our team at Note To Self tests a lot of things meant to make everyday routines smoother, but Beast’s mini blender became one of the items we reach for the most. Here’s what we’ve been loving:

• It is super cute: The compact design comes in five colors, so it can easily match your kitchen’s aesthetic.

• It’s surprisingly versatile: We’ve used it for quick morning smoothies, cozy soups, sauces, and even the occasional homemade dog treat. The three blend-and-go cups make it easy to choose exactly the size you need.

• It’s easy to take with us: With the drinking lid, carry cap, and straw-cap system, we can blend something, snap on a lid, and take it with us. It fits right in on morning walks and daily errands.

• It solves the annoying blender problems: Most blenders we’ve tried struggle with ice or frozen fruit, and cleaning them takes forever. The Mini blends everything smoothly in seconds, and the cups, lids, and caps are all top-rack dishwasher-safe.

• It feels like a safe investment: It comes with a 2-year warranty and 30-day returns.

And right now, the timing is great: Beast’s Black Friday Sale is offering 20% off with free shipping until December 7.

Save 20% on the Beast Mini Blender Plus and make it easy to make smoothies at home.

Thank you to Beast Blender for sponsoring Note To Self. 

The Real Health Benefits Of Practicing Gratitude

Gratitude isn’t just a warm feeling. It’s something the body responds to. When stress builds, the nervous system moves into high alert, and hormones like cortisol rise. That can leave the body tense, wired, or emotionally scattered. But even a small moment of thankfulness can interrupt that spiral. Research shows that focusing on what’s going right increases dopamine and serotonin, two chemicals that help regulate mood and support steadier energy.

Those shifts ripple outward. When the body feels safer, the parasympathetic nervous system becomes more active, allowing digestion to ease, heart rate to slow, and inflammation to settle. Gratitude also encourages the release of oxytocin, a hormone linked to connection and calm, which helps buffer the effects of daily stress.

This same pattern helps explain why gratitude supports better sleep. People who regularly reflect on what they’re thankful for tend to fall asleep faster and wake up more rested. Gratitude quiets racing thoughts and supports healthier melatonin rhythms, making it easier for the brain to wind down.

Gratitude doesn’t erase stress, but it gives the body a way to soften it. A few grounded moments a day can help shift the system from tension to steadiness, especially during a season that asks for so much.

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Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: True. It helps your body register fullness and reduce discomfort.

• 🌅 Sunset Of The Day: Sunsets are more than beautiful—they’re actually good for your mood. Got a favorite one? Reply to this email with your best sunset or sunrise photo for a chance to be featured!

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Wellness isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing what helps you feel steady, supported, and strong in your own body.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!