Finding December Peace: Simple Ways to Relieve Holiday Stress

Mary Clare Pyron
Dec 14, 2025
3 min read

During the Christmas season, the language of peace is everywhere. We hear it in carols, read it on cards, and see it woven throughout the Advent story.

And what always stands out to me is that even two thousand years ago, people were longing for the same things we still ache for today—relief from striving, rest from the noise, and steadiness when life feels uncertain.

A peace that doesn’t disappear the moment life gets hard.

And with the last couple months full of moving, unpacking, and adjusting to a new home, I was reminded just how human that longing is.

When Life Moves Fast, Peace Gets Harder to Access

We moved in early October, and the reality is: moving is hard.

Most nights, once the kids are asleep, I’m either digging through boxes or so exhausted that scrolling for home décor or the “perfect” Christmas gifts feels easier than keeping any kind of rhythm.

As a result, the snooze button has become a familiar friend. And my quiet morning time for prayer, reflection, and steadiness just hasn’t been consistently happening.

And lately I've felt it… That familiar cloudiness creeping in, the kind that shows up when I miss that intentional space.

I’m shorter with my kids. My brain feels scattered. I have difficulty deciding what actually matters in the moment.

I know this isn’t how I want to move through the world.

And my nervous system has been telling me the same.

So here I am saying it out loud: It’s time to shift.

I’m returning to quiet mornings, to paying attention, to finding peace before the day begins. Not perfectly, but intentionally.

And I’m curious (and hopeful) to see how it reshapes the rhythm of my days, how it slows me down, softens my edges, and helps me hear the quiet nudges of God in my life.

Because stillness doesn’t just calm our pace, it reorients us toward what matters.

How to Relieve Stress During the Holidays (Even When Life Is Full)

The holiday season makes everything feel louder, faster, and fuller. Which is why many of us are craving not just peace—but peace that lasts.

Here’s one simple nervous system practice to help you stay grounded, relieve holiday stress, and bring your body back into presence.

The 1-Minute Sensory Pause

Step 1: Step outside.

Notice one thing in nature: a leaf, a flower, a tree, a patch of sunlight.

Step 2: Explore it with your senses.

What do you see?
What’s the texture?
Is there a scent?
Does it move or make a sound?

This small sensory practice gently stimulates the vagus nerve, which plays a big role in how we experience safety and connection. By anchoring into your senses, you help your body slow down and come back into the present moment.

Step 3: Pause and reflect.

→ Do I feel any softening in my body?

→ Has my pace slowed even a little?

→ Does it shift how I step into the next moment?

Small practices like this can make a powerful impact (especially during the holiday rush).