Why Holiday Peace is Hard (and How to Reclaim It)

In partnership with

Why Holiday Peace is Hard (and How to Reclaim It)

We are in the middle of the most wonderful time of the year. Yet many of us feel more like we are trapped in the Cult of Hustle than resting in the manger. We have been sold a version of Christmas that is all about Hollow Wellness. We buy more. We do more. We try to make the perfect holiday photo. But I will be honest. I hate talking about how stressed the holidays make us, but it needs to be said. If your holiday strategy is just getting through it, you are already doomed.

The Emergency That Wasn't

I was sitting at my desk staring at a festive office calendar. It felt more like a list of demands than a celebration. In my industry, you expect things to slow down during December. Instead, the pace got faster. I found myself checking my work phone during family dinners. My anxiety spiked every time a new notification lit up the screen. I was physically present at the holiday parties, but my mind was stuck in the office.

I desperately wanted to focus on the Incarnation. I longed for the peace that comes from knowing God is with us. But the hustle had become a jealous god. It demanded my constant attention. I finally reached a breaking point. I made the choice to pull back from a major work obligation that I thought was essential.

That was my epiphany. I realized that most "emergencies" at work are not real emergencies. They are just signs of a culture that does not know how to rest. I believe that I can re-prioritize my world to protect my mental and spiritual health. Once I stopped treating every email like a crisis, I found the space to be a father and a husband. I spent the holidays with my family instead of my phone.

The Wisdom of the Ages

To find this path, we must look to the Word of God and the saints who walked before us.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." — John 1:14

St. Athanasius the Great once wrote, "God became man so that man might become god." This incredible exchange is the source of our peace. When we realize the Creator entered our messy world, the problems in our inbox begin to look very small.

The Science of Stillness

Modern research into habits shows that winter is a critical time for your brain to find anchors. As the days get shorter, your body looks for stability. The Hollow Wellness machine offers a quick high from buying things. But Ancient Rhythms provide a deep rest for your nerves. Choosing Spiritual Longevity is not just a religious idea. It is a way to rewire your brain to find peace even when the office is chaotic.

Stop the Holiday Hustle

If you want to move from burnout to Blue Church Living, try these three simple steps to save your soul this month:

• The Evening Candle: Do not scroll through social media or work emails before bed. Instead, light one candle. Sit in silence for five minutes. Think about God becoming human.

• A "Hollow" Audit: Look at your calendar. Does an event offer only social obligation or work stress? If so, give yourself permission to skip it.

• The Breath of Incarnation: You might feel the hustle rising in the checkout line or a meeting. When you do, take a deep breath. Thank God for being with us. Exhale the pressure to be perfect.

Your Peace is Your Witness

Your colleagues might expect you to be just as stressed as they are right now. Do not believe the lie that working through your rest is a badge of honor. By choosing Ancient Rhythms, you show up to your meetings with a sense of Soul Care. You will have a clarity that your peers do not have.

Peace is not a reward for finishing your work; it is the presence of God in the middle of it.

Find therapy that works - 25% OFF your first month

Anxious? Depressed?

Find Therapy that finally works for you. BetterHelp offers personal, reliable mental health support from the comfort of your home, with 25% off your first month of therapy.

72% of clients see reduced symptoms within 12 weeks. BetterHelp is also HSA + FSA eligible, with a network of 30,000 licensed therapist to support your needs. Why wait? Get matched in as little as 48 hours.

GET 25% OFF ONLINE THERAPY

_{This email was delivered by a third-party, on behalf of BetterHelp. Copyright © 2025 BetterHelp. All Rights Reserved.}