The Walk

The Walk - How To Avoid Christmas Stress


Listen Later

 Christmas stress hit me hard this week.

 

I was sitting at my desk after hours of non-stop work when it dawned on me: Christmas Eve is less than an week away.

My brain went into overdrive. So much to do. So many obligations. How am I this far behind?

I imagined the chaos—rushing to clean the house, prepare meals, and meet commitments I’d promised without thinking.

Sound familiar?

 

We romanticize the holidays—lights, calm evenings, and joy. But in reality, we’re sprinting through the season.

Here’s how I’m learning to slow down, reclaim calm, and actually enjoy Christmas this year:

 

☑ Start with a list.

↳ Write down everything you’ve committed to.

↳ Ask: “What can I cut, postpone, or simplify?”

↳ Overcommitting helps no one—not you, not them.

 

☑ Create 15-minute calm moments.

↳ Light a candle. Sit in silence. Breathe.

↳ Dedicate this time to slowing down.

↳ Say, “This moment is for me and for God.”

 

☑ Simplify social obligations.

↳ Perfect meals? Spotless homes? Not necessary.

↳ People value your presence over perfection.

↳ Be available, not overwhelmed.

 

☑ Move at a human pace.

↳ Deliberately walk slower. Talk slower. Think slower.

↳ Recognize when you’re rushing and pause.

 

☑ Make room for God at Christmas.

↳ Attend a church service.

↳ Arrive super early and take time to slow down.

↳ Let go of all stress, take a deep breath and open your heart.

 

☑ React to stress with calm.

↳ Stress is contagious. Calm is, too.

↳ Choose to smile, breathe, and move forward deliberately.

 

The goal isn’t a stress-free life. It’s you learning to move through it differently.

Christmas isn’t a performance. It’s an invitation to slow down, unburden yourself, and make space for joy.

 

In this week's episode of my podcast 'The Walk', I share how I am trying to implement these tips.

 

What’s one small way you’ll slow down this Christmas?

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The WalkBy Fr. Roderick Vonhögen

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

95 ratings


More shows like The Walk

View all
Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons - Catholic Preaching and Homilies by Bishop Robert Barron

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons - Catholic Preaching and Homilies

4,944 Listeners

Story Secrets by Fr. Roderick Vonhögen

Story Secrets

421 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,979 Listeners

Rosary Army Catholic Podcast by Greg and Jennifer Willits

Rosary Army Catholic Podcast

439 Listeners

Catholic Stuff You Should Know by J. 10 Initiative

Catholic Stuff You Should Know

3,804 Listeners

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family by Mike and Alicia Hernon : Catholic Marriage Parent and Family

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

791 Listeners

The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture by Bishop Robert Barron

The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

5,708 Listeners

Pints With Aquinas by Matt Fradd

Pints With Aquinas

6,613 Listeners

The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast by Ascension

The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

7,551 Listeners

Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World by Jimmy Akin

Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World

2,885 Listeners

The Catholic Talk Show by Ryan Scheel, Ryan DellaCrosse, and Fr. Richard Pagano

The Catholic Talk Show

1,490 Listeners

Restore The Glory Podcast by Jake Khym & Bob Schuchts

Restore The Glory Podcast

936 Listeners

The Jen Fulwiler Show by Jen Fulwiler

The Jen Fulwiler Show

1,599 Listeners

Catholic Saints by Augustine Institute

Catholic Saints

1,068 Listeners

The LOOPcast by CatholicVote

The LOOPcast

734 Listeners