Los Angeles Anxiety Therapist Talks Holiday Rituals to Calm an Anxious Mind- Spotlight #2
Gentle holiday rituals and grounding gift ideas for folks navigating their journey in becoming parents —Fertility, Birth, & Postpartum Support— recommended by a doula. Written by an Anxiety Therapist in Los Angeles, CA.
As an anxiety therapist in Los Angeles, CA who supports First Gen, BIPOC, and Queer communities, I know how overwhelming the holiday season can feel. The pressure of past experiences, family expectations, and even the gift-giving process can bring up anxiety or lead to procrastination. If you’re feeling disconnected this holiday season, you may also appreciate my recent post on holiday emotional overwhelm.
That’s why I’m sharing rituals and gift ideas from healers in our community—practitioners who help people slow down, breathe deeper, and return to their bodies. Their perspectives offer simple ways to choose gifts or practices that support grounding, whether for yourself, your loved ones, or your family.
If you missed Spotlight #1 with Elaine Luna, LMFT, you can read it here.
Grounding Rituals for Overwhelmed Folks in Their Journey in Becoming Parents
The holidays can be especially activating for folks navigating fertility, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum. As an anxiety therapist in Los Angeles, CA, I often see how expectations, decision fatigue, and pressure to “keep going” collide with bodies that are already carrying so much.
We continue the Holiday Ritual Guide, with a focus on a doula whose work centers calm, faith-filled support for folks during fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. These rituals and gifts are meant to support all parents and caregivers, including trans and nonbinary folks, during their journey in becoming parents during this holiday season.
Her approach reminds us that grounding doesn’t have to be complicated—it can be gentle, accessible, and deeply meaningful.
Spotlight on Kimberly Munoz (She/Her)— The Faithful Doula
The Faithful Doula offers gentle, compassionate support for folks during fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum
Who She Supports and Why This Work Matters
The Faithful Doula offers gentle, compassionate support for folks during fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Her work centers emotional safety, advocacy, and helping people feel seen, informed, and cared for during moments that can feel overwhelming or uncertain.
She often reminds her clients: “You don’t know what you don’t know.”
Parenthood comes with countless choices, and asking for guidance is an act of courage—not weakness.Her role is to hold space, bring peace into stressful moments, and advocate for those who may not yet know their options.
Gift Ideas that Support the Nervous System
A Meaningful Gift She Recommends for Folks Who Feel Overstimulated or Anxious:
When it comes to gifting care, she often recommends her postpartum guidebook, created with real advice and loving reminders from parents who have been there. It’s a grounding, supportive resource that gently reassures new parents: you’re not alone.
This kind of gift offers comfort and clarity during the early newborn days, especially for those navigating anxiety, emotional overload, or decision fatigue.
Nervous System–Soothing Gifts for Overwhelmed Caregivers
For clients who struggle to slow down or rest, tactile and sensory-based gifts can help the body soften more quickly. Some of her go-to recommendations include:
Weighted blankets
Herbal bath soaks
Grounding essential oil rollers
Journals with gentle prompts
Warm tea or ceremonial cacao (rooted in Guatemalan tradition)
These gifts send an immediate signal of safety to the nervous system—something many anxious or postpartum bodies deeply need.
A grounding ritual from a Doula for overwhelmed folks during this holiday season: a warm cup of tea, slow breathing, one hand on the belly, and one hand on the heart.
Simple Grounding Rituals for Folks During The Holidays
One of her most meaningful grounding rituals is beautifully simple: A warm cup of tea, slow breathing, one hand on the belly, and one hand on the heart.
This ritual helps people return to their bodies within minutes. She often recommends it to clients preparing for or recovering from C-sections, when lying flat and lack of control can heighten anxiety. Following the breath becomes an anchor; bringing calm, presence, and reassurance during an intense moment.
She values this ritual because it’s accessible. You don’t need perfect conditions, long stretches of time, or special tools—just a few intentional minutes to reconnect with yourself.
Holiday Wisdom from a Postpartum & Birth Doula
She wishes more people understood that Rest isn’t Optional.
“If you don’t make time to rest, life will eventually force you to,” she shares.
Creating moments of pause before burnout sets in is an act of care—for both parent and baby. Just like putting your oxygen mask on first, a grounded, rested caregiver supports safety and connection for everyone around them.
Connect With Kimberly Munoz, The Faithful Doula
Learn More or Follow Her Work
Instagram: @thefaithfuldoula
Website: thefaithfuldoula.com
Curated Amazon List from Kimberly Munoz, The Faithful Doula
Holidays Can Be Grounding for an Anxious Mind
The holidays do not have to be another busy season of pushing through exhaustion and holding it together in order to keep the peace. Gentle, intentional practices—especially those that invite warmth, breath, and connection— can help create moments of calm, in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
To explore more rituals and gift ideas for the holiday season, return to Holiday Ritual Guide for an Anxious Mind — And stay tuned for Spotlight #3, featuring grounding rituals for overwhelmed leaders.
You deserve rest and self-nourishment, whether that means leaning into support or giving yourself permission to slow down.
Work with an Anxiety Therapist in Los Angeles, CA
If anxiety, emotional overload, or burnout feels louder during this season, you don’t have to navigate it by yourself. As an anxiety therapist in Los Angeles, CA, I support first-generation, BIPOC, and Queer adults who are ready to stop carrying everything alone and want a more compassionate relationship with themselves and their relationships.
If you’re curious about what healing could look like for you, I’d invite you to explore the possibility of working together. Schedule a Free Consultation at (323) 493-6644 or Book Here.
Ligia Orellana, LMFT (#122659)
I’m an anxiety therapist in Los Angeles, California, certified in LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy and Somatic Attachment Therapy. I help first-generation BIPOC and Queer adults who feel the pressure to hold it all together move through self-doubt, anxiety, and relationship struggles. My work creates space for deeper connection and self-trust through emotional safety and cultural understanding.
Learn more about my work with relationship stress, people-pleasing and self-doubt, and online therapy, or visit my About page to learn more.
