During finals week, it’s easy to get caught up in the details of schoolwork as we race to finish projects, cram for tests and write last-minute papers. The stress of finals can lead to burnout, especially for those still adjusting to the pace of college academics. On top of normal finals cramming, many seniors are busy applying to professional and graduate programs. Writing tedious personal statements and studying for the GRE or LSAT adds even more stress to already hectic schedules.

The impending Christmas holiday only increases the stress levels. Christmas shopping on a tight schedule and a tighter budget isn’t fun. Anxiety increases as we pressure ourselves to find “the perfect gift” for the loved ones on our lists. Even the popular bake-everyone-cookies approach takes time and effort.

If all this wasn’t enough, Christmas is fraught with unrealistic expectations of family harmony. The holiday season is portrayed as an idyllic time spent with loved ones. In reality, visiting family almost always means drama that often makes coming home for the holidays dreadful as opposed to delightful. But besides disappearing to your room and hibernating like a bear until New Year’s, there are few things you can do to relieve holiday stress.

Stillness is the best cure for the insanity that surrounds both finals week and the holiday season. The whirlwind of activity surrounding this time of year can distract us from our true purpose in the world. By making an effort to quiet our minds, we calm our lives as well.

Taking time to pause in the midst of finals may seem counterintuitive, but it actually can encourage us to study better. When we are still, we can see beyond the details of specific classes to the big picture. When you are still ask yourself questions like, “Why am I taking these classes?” and “What goals am I working toward?” Finishing the semester strong is challenging, but contemplating the big picture can remind us of our goals as well as motivate and re-energize us.

Connecting our course work to future careers makes studying a little less painful. Economic Sciences 101 may be the most boring class ever, but it’s the first step for many on the road to rewarding business careers. Keeping things in perspective can help us see that achieving our goals are worth the student loans, flashcards and all-nighters.

Stillness can be pursued via many paths. Personally, remembering Jesus’ words, “Be still and know that I am God,” helps me focus on the true purpose of my actions, which is to glorify him. Others may find peace of mind through a host of other religions. Prayer can be a powerful force for peace whether it is to Jesus, Yahweh, Allah or the entire Hindu pantheon. Buddhist meditation or yoga also can calm the mind. Even just sitting quietly and drinking cocoa can be a respite from life’s demands.

During the holidays, stillness can help us accept the inevitable letdowns of the holiday. We cannot change our mom’s judgmental attitude or our uncle’s fondness for inappropriate jokes. But by quieting our minds, we can be at peace with drama. Again, putting little details into a greater perspective is helpful. Stillness keeps us mindful of what’s really important. When we are at peace, issues that used to ignite explosive arguments now spark petty squabbles.

Quieting our minds is healthy for our souls. The stress of finals and the holidays can easily distract us from life’s real treasures. Stillness allows us to see triviality of our concerns compared to the significance of family, friends and faith. Whatever the means, we all must make time to be still – for our collective peace of mind.