Building Resilience in Busy Seasons

Family comes to my house for Thanksgiving, and normally I can get a bit stressed in the days leading up to the special day. This year, though, I noticed something different. I felt more peaceful.

I think a few things played into that. One was that I had some bodywork done the week prior, which helped calm my nervous system. But even more than that, I’ve put habits in place that I maintain year-round.  These habits help keep my stress levels lower overall. I pay attention to how much stress my body is carrying. Learning how to build my resilience has played a big role in that shift.

For years, I didn’t think I got stressed. I truly believed I could handle anything that came my way with ease. I was capable, organized, and used to carrying a lot. It wasn’t until I was in my 50s that I began to understand the cumulative effect stress was having on my body. What I once brushed off as “just part of life” was quietly draining my energy, affecting my sleep, and leaving me more reactive than I realized.

Busy seasons have a way of revealing that.

Why Busy Seasons Feel Harder Now

Midlife is full. Careers are demanding. Family dynamics are changing. Many women are caring for aging parents while still supporting children…or adjusting to an empty nest. Add in holidays, travel, expectations, and the pressure to make everything “special,” and even joyful seasons can feel heavy.

The stress isn’t just about having a lot to do. It’s the emotional load that comes with it. And if we rely on the same strategies we used earlier in life - pushing through, ignoring signals from our body, telling ourselves we’re “fine” - busy seasons can leave us depleted.

That’s where resilience comes in.

What Resilience Really Is (and What It Isn’t)

Resilience is often misunderstood. It’s not toughness. It’s not pushing harder. And it’s definitely not ignoring stress.

Resilience is the ability to adapt, recover, and stay steady when life gets challenging. Research from Harvard Medical School shows that resilience isn’t a personality trait you either have or don’t have. It’s a skill that can be learned and strengthened at any stage of life through intentional habits and stress-management practices.

Many midlife women are already resilient in countless ways. They’ve navigated careers, raised families, managed transitions, and overcome setbacks. The opportunity now is learning how to support that resilience intentionally, especially during busy or transitional seasons.

Why Resilience Matters More Than Ever

Chronic stress takes a toll on both the body and the mind. Over time, it’s associated with disrupted sleep, anxiety, depression, digestive issues, weakened immunity, and heart disease. It also impacts focus, decision-making, and emotional regulation.

When stress stays high for too long, our habits slip, our energy drops, and everything feels harder. Resilience helps interrupt that cycle. It allows your body and nervous system to recover more quickly, so stress doesn’t linger the way it once did.

The Science Behind Building Resilience

Research points to three key areas that support resilience: physical health, psychological skills, and social connection.

Physically, resilience is closely tied to how well we care for our bodies. Sleep, movement, and nutrition matter. When we’re rested and nourished, our bodies are better equipped to handle stress and return to baseline.

Psychologically, resilience is strengthened through skills like cognitive flexibility and reframing. This means noticing when our thoughts spiral into worst-case scenarios and gently shifting perspective. Mind-body practices such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or gentle movement help activate the relaxation response, lowering stress hormones and calming the nervous system.

Socially, connection plays a powerful role. Strong relationships act as buffers against stress. Sharing what we’re carrying, rather than holding it all in, reduces emotional load and increases our ability to cope.

Practical Ways to Build Resilience in Busy Seasons

Resilience doesn’t require a major life overhaul. Small, consistent actions make a meaningful difference.

Start with your nervous system. A few slow, intentional breaths can signal safety to your body and reduce stress reactivity.

Practice reframing stressful moments. Instead of “I have to do all of this,” try “What’s one thing I can focus on right now?” That small shift creates mental space and lowers overwhelm.

Lean into connection. Busy seasons often tempt us to isolate, but even a short conversation with someone you trust can be grounding.

Cultivate moments of positivity. Gratitude, noticing small wins, or simply laughing more often can reduce stress hormones and strengthen emotional resilience.

And support your energy. Adequate sleep, regular movement, and nourishing food aren’t luxuries.  They’re foundational. When energy is low, resilience suffers.

Resilience Through the HER Lens

This is where my HER framework comes in.

Habits create stability when life feels chaotic. Simple routines, like a morning check-in or an evening wind-down, help anchor you.

Energy fuels resilience. Protecting your energy through boundaries and rest isn’t selfish; it’s strategic.

Resilience grows through repetition. Each small choice reinforces your ability to adapt and recover.

A Simple Resilience Reset

If this season feels full, start here:

• Take one slow breath before each transition.
• Say no to one unnecessary obligation.
• Name one thing that went well today.

Small steps matter more than big intentions.

Closing

Busy seasons don’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. They’re part of life. But you don’t have to move through them exhausted and on edge.  Resilience helps you stay grounded, steady, and more at ease, even when life is full. And the beautiful thing is, it’s something you can build, one choice at a time.

Need Support Building Resilience This Season?

If life feels full, stressful, or just different right now, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Building resilience means learning how to support your habits, energy, and nervous system in a way that fits your real life.

If you’d like help creating simple, sustainable strategies to stay steady during busy seasons, I’d love to connect.

👉 Schedule a HER Clarity Call

A supportive, no-pressure conversation to help you find your next best step.