Calm for the Holidays: Ease Seasonal Stress and Anxiety

By Dr. Ivan Bracic, Clinical Director – Novaré™ Medical and Wellness
Fort Myers & Lehigh Acres, Florida

The Season of Joy — and Overwhelm
For many adults, the holidays bring both comfort and chaos. There’s laughter and light—but also pressure to do it all, see everyone, and make everything perfect. Family expectations, financial worries, travel, and endless to-do lists can leave even the most cheerful person feeling drained.

For others, the season highlights loneliness or loss, making joy feel just out of reach. Studies show that more than a third of adults experience higher stress in November and December, while nearly one in five report increased anxiety or depression.

If you find yourself exhausted, tense, or emotionally flat this time of year—you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not without options.

How Stress Hijacks the Brain
When we experience chronic stress, the brain’s balance begins to shift. The amygdala—our built-in alarm system—stays on high alert, while the prefrontal cortex, which manages calm thinking and decision-making, goes quiet.

The result? Racing thoughts, restless sleep, irritability, and that sense of being “on edge.” Over time, these stress loops can rewire how the brain responds, making it harder to relax even after the holiday rush is over.

That’s why quick fixes like a long walk or a glass of wine may only help for the moment. To truly reset, the brain itself needs support.

A New Path to Calm
At Novaré™ Medical and Wellness, we’re helping patients restore inner balance with a groundbreaking technology called Exomind™ — a gentle, non-invasive treatment that helps the brain retrain its natural stress response.

Exomind™ uses targeted magnetic stimulation (ExoTMS™) to activate and synchronize the areas of the brain responsible for mood regulation, focus, and emotional stability. Unlike medication, it introduces no chemicals into the body. Instead, it works with your brain’s own neuroplasticity — its ability to form new, healthier pathways — to promote calm and clarity from within.

Sessions are comfortable and relaxing, lasting about 30 minutes. Many patients describe them as a “mental massage” — a moment to recharge the mind.

Backed by Research and Results
Clinical studies on Exomind™ have shown remarkable improvements:
. 83% of participants reported feeling less  depressed and less stressed.
. 82% noted brighter mood and greater focus.
. 83% experienced improved overall well-being within just a few sessions. In a related study on sleep and stress, 88% of patients slept better and reported reduced anxiety after completing a short series of treatments.

These results mirror broader research into transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) — the medical foundation behind Exomind™ — showing its power to gently rebalance overactive brain circuits and enhance resilience.

Why Midlife Stress Feels Different
Many of our patients notice that the holidays—and stress in general—affect them more deeply than they used to. Hormonal shifts, chronic tension, pain, and slower recovery all influence how the brain and body handle emotional load.

When serotonin and dopamine levels fluctuate, it can take longer to bounce back from fatigue or conflict. Exomind™ gives the brain a gentle reset, helping it recover its rhythm and stability naturally.

Real Stories of Renewal
At Novaré, we’ve seen remarkable transformations:
. A grandmother who dreaded family gatherings because of anxiety now enjoys time with her grandkids again.
. A veteran coping with sleepless nights found deep, uninterrupted rest after years of struggle.
. A business owner under chronic stress described Exomind™ as “finally turning the noise down in my head.”

Each story is unique, but the theme is the same — when the brain finds balance, life feels lighter.

Redefining Self-Care
True self-care isn’t about escaping your life; it’s about strengthening yourself to fully live it. Exomind™ empowers patients to do exactly that — to feel grounded, focused, and present, even through the busiest seasons.

At Novaré™ Medical and Wellness, we combine Exomind™ with restorative body technologies like EmsculptNeo for strength and Emsella for core balance, creating a comprehensive mind-body renewal program designed to restore energy, confidence, and calm from the inside out.

Take Back Your Peace of Mind
This season, give yourself permission to slow down, breathe deeply, and seek balance. If holiday stress or emotional fatigue has taken its toll, it may be time to look beyond quick fixes and support your brain’s natural ability to heal.

Novaré™ Medical and Wellness offers complimentary consultations in Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres to help you discover if Exomind™ is right for you.

Call 239-579-4444 for more information. Your calm, clarity, and confidence are waiting — and this might just be the season you find them again.

Dr. Ivan Bracic, Clinical Director of Novaré Medical and Wellness, has over 30 years of experience in musculoskeletal health and wellness. He specializes in the connection between your brain, bones, muscles and the nervous system. Dr. Bracic leads a multidisciplinary team that helps patients restore strength, balance, and vitality through advanced diagnostics, regenerative therapies, and FDA-cleared technologies. As the only clinic in Southwest Florida offering MRI-backed muscle and joint regeneration, Dr. Bracic and his team empower patients to look, feel, and age powerfully.

Novare Medicals and Wellness

239-579-4444
NovareWellness.com
15880 Summerlin Road, Ste 114
Fort Myers, FL 33908