Slow the Hustle: Why Your Body Craves Rest During the Holidays
The world tells us to do more — bake more, buy more, say yes to every invite, and somehow look refreshed doing it. But deep down, our bodies are whispering a different message: slow down. Rest. Breathe.
December can feel like one long sprint, yet our souls were never designed to live in constant motion. True wellness — the kind that lasts — isn’t about keeping up; it’s about coming back into balance.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
The Stress Cycle and the Body’s Cry for Rest
When life moves faster than we can keep up, the body doesn’t just feel tired — it goes into protection mode. The brain signals the adrenal glands to release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are helpful in short bursts, but when they stay elevated for too long, they drain our energy, disrupt our hormones, and weaken digestion and immunity.
In other words, that holiday fatigue, anxious tension, and mid-afternoon crash? They’re not a lack of willpower — they’re your body waving a white flag.
From a physiological standpoint, chronic stress suppresses the parasympathetic nervous system — the “rest and digest” state where your body repairs, heals, and restores. Rest is not laziness; it’s biological necessity.
Rest and the Circle of Life
In the Circle of Life, balance is key. When one area is overloaded — like work, social commitments, or even family responsibilities — it affects every other spoke.
Spirituality: Rest opens space for stillness, prayer, and hearing God’s voice.
Health: Sleep and downtime regulate hormones, balance blood sugar, and support the adrenals.
Relationships: Rested people love better, listen better, and respond with patience instead of reactivity.
Career and Purpose: Clarity and creativity thrive when we step back from busyness.
Home Environment: A calm schedule creates a calm space.
When we slow the hustle, we allow our body and spirit to return to harmony — the kind that makes room for joy again.
The Spiritual Practice of Slowing Down
In a culture that celebrates busyness, rest can feel countercultural. Yet even Jesus modeled rhythms of retreat — withdrawing to quiet places to pray and be renewed. If the Son of God needed moments of pause, surely we do too.
Rest is an act of faith. It says, “God, I trust You enough to stop striving.” When we rest, we remember that we are human beings, not human doings.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
Stillness reminds us that peace doesn’t come from productivity. It comes from presence.
How to Honor Rest During the Holidays
You don’t have to overhaul your December schedule — just create small pauses that invite peace back in.
Start your mornings slowly. Instead of grabbing your phone, take five deep breaths. Thank God for the gift of a new day before the noise begins.
Set boundaries with grace. Every “yes” is a “no” to something else. Protect your peace by choosing only what aligns with your energy and purpose.
Create an evening wind-down routine. Dim the lights, make a cup of tea, stretch, or journal. Tell your nervous system it’s safe to rest.
Sabbath with intention. Dedicate one day each week to rest — no guilt, no to-do list. Let it be your spiritual recharge.
Feed your body with care. Slow down at mealtime. Eat foods that truly nourish you. Say grace and feel gratitude before the first bite.
Rest isn’t another thing to check off your list; it’s how you reconnect to life.
The Science of Rest
Science agrees — rest restores more than energy. It resets your hormones, strengthens your immune system, and improves digestion and mental clarity. When cortisol drops and your body enters its rest-and-repair mode, every cell begins to heal.
The adrenal glands, which bear the weight of chronic stress, start to recover. Balanced adrenals mean better sleep, steadier moods, and that grounded sense of peace your body has been craving.
Rest is a reset button — physical, emotional, and spiritual.
The Gift of Presence
This holiday season, the most beautiful gift you can offer is your presence. Not perfection. Not performance. Just your peaceful, present self — centered, rested, and full of grace.
When you choose rest, you make space for joy to return. You hear God more clearly, love others more deeply, and walk into the new year not burned out, but restored.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” – Psalm 23:2–3
A Reflection
Ask yourself:
What am I doing out of obligation that’s draining me? What might happen if I laid it down and made space for rest?
Let your December be defined by peace, not pressure. Your body — and your spirit — will thank you.
