December is National Stress-Free Holiday Month

Because the holidays shouldn’t require a survival kit.

Let’s be honest: for a season that’s supposed to be peaceful and magical, the holidays can feel a lot like a group project 

where no one knows what they’re doing, everyone’s stressed, and somehow you’re the team leader anyway.

That’s why December is officially recognized as National Stress-Free Holiday Month — a gentle nudge to slow down, unclench your jaw (yes, right now), and give yourself permission to not be the Holiday Superhero this year.

At GRACE, we know stress shows up in big ways and small ones. We 

see how it affects kids in school, how it weighs on families, and how it 

sneaks into even the happiest seasons. So here’s your friendly 

reminder that your mental and emotional health matter — not just in 

January when everyone starts saying “new year, new me,” but right 

now, in the busy swirl of December.

Here are a few lighthearted tips to help you glide through the season without losing your joy (or your sanity):

• Let go of perfection. No one remembers the perfectly fluffed tree. They remember the moment the cat knocked it over.

• Set boundaries like a boss. If it drains you, you’re allowed to say no. Even to that one relative who always asks when you’re getting married.

• Prioritize the people who make you feel lighter. If being around them feels like exhaling, that’s your circle.

• Practice gratitude—but keep it real. “I’m thankful for family… and also for pajamas, drive-thru coffee, and two hours of silence.”

• Ask for help. Even Wonder Woman takes days off. So can you.

In the middle of all the wrapping paper, meals, gatherings, and to-do lists, we hope you find moments of calm, joy, and actual rest. You deserve a season that feels peaceful, not pressured.

From all of us at GRACE:

May your holidays be merry, bright, and as stress-free as humanly possible.