Holiday Stress: How to Stay Grounded During the Craziest Time of Year
- Deb Kennedy
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Let’s be honest — the holidays and holiday stress come in hot. One minute you’re soaking up late-summer sunshine, feeling all breezy and unbothered, and the next thing you know, it’s group texts, grocery lists, school concerts, office parties, and somebody asking you to “bring a little something” to the gathering.
And if you’re anything like me, “bring a little something” turns into“let me go ahead and make a whole spread so nobody talks about me later.”
But here’s the truth: grounding has nothing to do with slowing the season down. It’s about slowing yourself down long enough to remember what — and who — matters. God gives us peace...we have to make room for it.
Here are a few grounding practices that carry me through the swirl of November and December:
1. Bookend Your Day With Breath
Before the world asks anything of you, sit still for 60 seconds. Place your hand on your chest. Take three slow breaths. Whisper something you’re grateful for.
It doesn’t have to be deep.
“I woke up.”
“This tea is hot.”
“My knees didn’t pop today.”
Listen — gratitude works either way.
2. Eat Something Real Before You Run Out the Door
The fastest way to lose your grounding is to skip meals. Your blood sugar dips, your fuse shortens, and suddenly you’re snapping at Tony at the coffee station.
Try starting your day with something warm and comforting, like my Maple Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bowl. It’s quick, cozy, and reminds your nervous system that you are safe, nourished, and supported.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Say “No”
“No, I can’t make it this year.”
“No, I’m resting tonight.”
“No, I’m not adding one more thing to my calendar.”
Let me tell you — “no” is a complete sentence and a spiritual discipline.
4. Touch the Earth
Step outside. Feel the air. Look at the sky. Let your mind meet something that isn’t a to-do list. God often whispers in the quiet, not in the chaos we create.
5. Remember That Joy Is Not a Performance
You don’t owe anybody holiday perfection. Not a flawless table, not a perfect pie, not a shiny mood. Peace is the best gift you can bring into any room.
Final Thought
Grounding is not an escape. It’s a return — back to yourself, back to the present, back to the truth that you are not called to hustle through your blessings.
You are meant to receive them.
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