If Stress Had an Off Switch, This Would Be It

It's not always easy for high achiever, deep thinker who always has a plan—to slow down. I get it. If you’re someone who thrives on achievement, plans every detail, and always has many plates spinning, the idea of “wasted time” is probably your worst nightmare. When we have goals to reach, people to support, and adventures to take—whether in business, relationships, or even on the mountains—it can feel like the only way to get everything done is to do more, faster—rather than to BE more, slower.

But if all that forward momentum starts to stall and get stuck?

Or what if you're getting run down and edging burnout?

We can get stuck in:
Overanalyzing every decision, waiting for the “perfect” moment.
Pushing through frustration until it turns into resentment.
Carrying the weight of responsibility for everything and everyone.
Dealing with tension that just won’t quit—tight shoulders, a clenched jaw, or stiffness in the hips.

To push through and try and "make it right" we find ourselves overworking, overcommitting, and overthinking because it feels safer to keep pushing rather than stopping, slowing down, taking a look around and doing things differently. 

So how can we get unstuck?

Whether it's through mental or physical exertion, when energy gets stuck, the body feels it.

Enter LV3: The Acupressure Point for Clarity, Flow & Releasing Stuck Energy 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, LV3 (Liver 3, aka “Great Rushing”) is a powerhouse point for releasing frustration, stress, and mental blocks. It’s known for its ability to help you clear out stuck energy, move forward decisively, and restore balance.

Where is LV3? It’s located on the top of your foot, between the first and second toe, right before the big knuckle of your foot.

Why You Should Care About LV3:
Releases trapped stress & tension—mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Unclenches the jaw & relaxes the nervous system.
Supports the liver in balancing hormones and emotions.
Encourages clarity & decision-making (so you stop overthinking).
Relieves lower back, hip, and digestive discomfort—common signs of blocked Liver Qi.

How to Use LV3 in Yoga: Wide-Legged Forward Fold (Prasarita Padottanasana)

This pose, when combined with LV3 activation, takes tension release to the next level.

Why it works: The Liver Meridian runs from the big toe, through the inner thighs and pelvis, up into the stomach and torso. By pressing into LV3 while in this pose, you’re not just stretching—you’re unblocking frustration, easing emotional weight, and helping your entire system reset.

How to do it:

• Stand with feet wide apart, toes slightly turned in.
• Hinge at the hips and fold forward, letting your head drop toward the mat.
• Press your thumbs gently into LV3 on both feet.
• Take slow, deep breaths, imagining tension melting from your legs, hips, and mind.

Acupressure: Subtle Adjustments, Big Impact

LV3 isn’t just a random pressure point—it’s a nervous system hack that: Opens up your posture (goodbye, tension & slouching).
Deepens your stretches (hello, flexibility and strength).
Trains your body to feel ease instead of chronic stress.

These subtle but powerful activations help clear energetic blockages so you can move through life with less resistance and more clarity.

Work With Your Body, Not Against It

Your body already knows how to restore balance—it just needs the right tools. By integrating breathwork, acupressure, and movement, you can stop pushing against stress and start working with your body’s natural intelligence.

Next time you feel stuck, overworked, or overwhelmed, try pressing into LV3 and taking a deep breath. Let the tension go. Let clarity come in.

Want to dive deeper?

Join Homebody Yoga for therapeutic yoga classes designed to regulate your nervous system, dissolve tension, and restore deep, steady energy—so you can show up fully for everything that matters to you.

[Check out the schedule here] → [Insert Link]

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The post How to Release Stress with Acupressure Point LV3 during Yoga appeared first on Heidi Lidholm | Be More You. Grow Through Every Challenge..

The holidays are magical — queue " it's the most wonderful time of the year ".

But let’s be real, the holiday season can also be draining AF.

While it’s the season of giving, glitter and glam, it’s also prime time for feeling drained, overwhelmed, and disconnected from ourselves.

We want to be joyful, right? But for many of us, the entire month of December ends up feeling more like a marathon of obligations, social events, purchases and endless to-do lists. 

So let's fix this by protecting your energy.

BUT first — let's get this straight.

Protecting your energy, especially during the holidays isn’t selfish — it’s essential. When you care for your emotional, mental, and physical well-being, you can actually enjoy the holidays and show up for others with genuine joy and presence.

Because I'll let you in on a little secret, long after the presents have been enjoyed, it will be your presence that will be live on in your friend's and family's memory.

So let's talk about

• why protecting your energy matters, 
• what happens if you don’t, 
• and how you can create a holiday season that nourishes you as much as everyone else.

 Why Protect Your Energy During the Holidays?

Protecting your energy means safeguarding your well-being from the chaos and demands of the season, so that you have energy to do ALL the things are important to you (not just everyone else)
AND you feel connected to yourself and present with those you love.

When you protect your energy, you:

• Feel More Grounded – Stay calm amidst the holiday festivities.
• Avoid Burnout  – Have energy left for the things that matter.
• Stay Present  – Enjoy moments with loved ones instead of just surviving them.
• Express Joy  – Experience genuine happiness instead of forced cheer.

Think of it like this: the more you fill your own cup, the more you have to give to others. It’s not greedy to prioritize your needs — it’s the key to being your best self for the people you care about. 

 What Happens if You Don’t Protect Your Energy?

Well if you don’t set boundaries and take care of yourself, you can expect the following:

• Irritability: Snapping at loved ones over small things.
• Exhaustion: Feeling drained from endless tasks and obligations.
• Resentment: Doing things out of obligation, not joy.
• Burnout: Needing days (or weeks) to recover after the holidays.
• Emotional Numbness: Just going through the motions without feeling anything.

Sound familiar?

Now, picture this scenario:

You’re hosting a dinner. You feel obligated to invite everyone in your extended family — even the relatives who drain you. You’re running around trying to make everything perfect: cooking, cleaning, decorating. By the time everyone arrives, you’re already exhausted.

Then:

• Your sister sparks a political argument.
• Your mom critiques the way you prepared the meal.
• Your uncle makes your kid cry.
• Your cousin manages to break two champagne glasses.
• You burn the brussel sprouts.
• The dog spills over the other cousin's glass of red wine all over the cream carpet.
• You plaster on a semi smile, and inside, you’re seething.

Oh yeah and you're hosting Christmas Dinner too! 

By the 26th, you’re emotionally wiped out and wondering, “Why do I do this to myself?”

Ok so, since it's the holidays, this sort of chaos comes with the advent calendar BUT what can you do NOW in aftermath to reconnect with yourself?

Because imagine if you had the emotional resilience and energy reserves to 

• Laugh it all off and start dancing to your fav xmas tune because you know you can handle everything.
• Limit the guest list to people who uplift you.
• Delegate tasks instead of doing everything yourself.
• Recognize when someone drains your energy and have your toolkit ready!
• Prioritize your own peace over others’ expectations.

So instead of feeling depleted, you end the night feeling calm, balanced, and — dare I say it — happy.

3 Questions to Protect Your Energy This Xmas  

1. Who/what GIVES me energy?
   Spend more time with these people and activities. They light you up, so let them.
2. Who/what DRAINS my energy?
   Set boundaries or limit interactions with these situations. Your peace is worth it.
3. What am I doing to ESCAPE?
   Notice if you’re truly recharging or just numbing out. 

Need to Recharge? Homebody Yoga Is Here for You  

If you’re ready to:

• Ground your energy.
• Release stress and overwhelm.
• Fill your cup so you can give from a place of vitality, abundance and strength.

Join Homebody Yoga every Tuesday and Thursday — designed to help you feel relaxed and strong — exactly what you need this holiday season.

Live Classes: Tuesdays & Thursdays, Full Moon Restorative, New Moon Restorative 
Where: Online on Zoom (Replay available for 7 days)
Bonus: Each class comes with an acupressure guide to deepen your practice.

 Give yourself the gift of peace this season. Your energy — and your sanity — and your sanity — will thank you.

The post Why Protecting Your Energy During the Holidays Is the Ultimate Gift to Yourself 🎄 appeared first on Heidi Lidholm | Be More You. Grow Through Every Challenge..