The Cure for Chronic Pain with Nicole Sachs, LCSW

S5 E14 - How Boundaries Disrupt Holiday Pain Patterns

Dec 5, 2025
The holidays can heighten nervous system dysregulation, leading to increased pain and anxiety. Personal boundaries are essential for managing these symptoms by preventing emotional overload. Nicole discusses practical ways to communicate limits, underscoring that clear boundaries help reduce TMS flares. She explains how internal conflicts and emotional repression worsen the situation and offers JournalSpeak prompts to clarify feelings. Hear about a case study showing that adjusting boundaries, not just physical structure, can alleviate recurring pain during the holiday season.
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INSIGHT

Holidays Create Nervous-System Danger

  • The holidays layer logistics, expectations, and old family roles into a single load that the nervous system interprets as danger.
  • Nicole Sachs explains this internal conflict, not external threats, often triggers TMS symptoms like pain and fatigue.
ADVICE

Define Boundaries As Realistic Limits

  • Define a boundary as what you can realistically offer emotionally, physically, and logistically without sacrificing stability.
  • Use simple, factual statements to communicate limits rather than over-explaining.
ADVICE

Use Short Clear Boundary Phrases

  • Use short, clear boundary phrases like "I won't be staying late" or "I can't host this year."
  • You don't need to over-explain; the phrase itself broadcasts your internal decision and protection.
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