The holiday season brings a blend of excitement, anticipation, and disruption. Travel, gatherings, late nights, rich foods, and shifting schedules all create a unique rhythm that differs dramatically from our everyday lives. While these changes can be enjoyable, they also challenge the brain’s natural regulatory systems—particularly those governing sleep, attention, energy, and emotional balance.

December is one of the busiest months for winter activities — skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, sledding, and snowmobiling all surge with the arrival of holiday travel and seasonal excitement. But with this increase in activity comes a rise in head injuries, particularly concussions.

The holiday season often brings warmth, excitement, and long-awaited reunions. It also brings environments that can be louder, brighter, and more stimulating than usual. Traveling through airports, staying in unfamiliar places, navigating crowded events, and managing shifting routines can create a significant increase in sensory load—not only for individuals with a history of brain injury, but for anyone who is sensitive to visual, auditory, or motion-related input.

Winter arrives with a shift in rhythm—shorter days, festive gatherings, and outdoor activities that look very different depending on where you live. In many places, winter means skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, hiking, or simply navigating icy sidewalks. Even in warmer states, the season often brings busier travel schedules, holiday sports tournaments, and more time spent in crowded or overstimulating environments.