The holidays are a happy season for joyfully celebrating with family, friends, and coworkers. But for many people, this season is also a time of heightened anxiety and stress. Often, people get worked up from the increased responsibilities, lofty expectations and soaring financial pressures that go along with the holidays, and that causes them distress.

If you get stressed out during the holidays, this blog is for you. In it, we explore some helpful suggestions for staying calm during the upcoming holiday season.

It’s impossible to avoid all stressful situations. Chances are there will be increased traffic – and maybe bad weather, road closures and delays – at this time of year. But you don’t have to add to that stress by trying to accomplish everything this holiday season and expecting to be perfect. Tell yourself that you don’t have to be perfect and repeat it until you believe it.

No Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or other holiday celebration is going to be perfect, so don’t set unrealistic expectations for your family activities. Don’t get overwhelmed by the pressure of creating holiday events that resemble a Norman Rockwell portrait. Keep in mind that as families grow and change, their holiday traditions and rituals change as well.

Instead of trying to fit in all of your holiday traditions, identify your most important traditions and take small steps to make them a reality. Be open to creating new traditions as well. For example, if your adult children can’t be with you, make them part of your celebration by sharing emails, photos, and videos.

And when your family is gathered together, set aside any differences you may have. Accept your family members as they are, even if they haven’t lived up to your expectations. Be understanding if others become distressed when something goes wrong. They’re probably feeling the stress of the holidays just like you are.

Be proactive. The holidays are about bringing people together, not driving them apart. Focus on good memories and what family members have in common. Don’t debate differences of opinion during your holiday dinner. There are more appropriate times and places for those discussions.

Keep things in perspective. It helps to remember that the holiday season is short. If something goes wrong, it’s not the end of the world. That situation will quickly pass. To recover, think of the good things in your life and accept that there’s time after the holidays to do more of the things you didn’t have time to do during the actual holiday season.

Remember what’s important. Our consumer culture has a way of robbing the holiday season of its authentic meaning and cashing in on a time that once had personal significance to us. For you, that significance may surround family, community, or faith. Take time to re-establish what made the season significant for you in the first place. Volunteer in the community or help someone in need to reaffirm what the season is all about.

Many people spend excessive amounts in pursuit of perfect holiday gifts for family and friends, but that can intensify stress. Remember, you can’t buy happiness with expensive gifts. Before you go shopping, determine how much money you can really afford to spend on gifts and stick to your budget. Try online shopping to avoid crowded malls and the stress that goes along with that.

As an alternative to buying expensive gift for everyone on your list, consider donating to a charity in a loved one’s name, giving homemade gifts, or starting a family gift exchange.

Accept that there’s only so much time during the holidays and you cannot attend every party and event. Your friends will understand if you can’t make their get-together. They’re in the same boat with similar limits on their time. Skip seeing the Nutcracker, even if it’s a holiday tradition. The ballet will run again next year when you may have more time to see it.

Skip the alcohol. Drinking alcohol is a big contributor to holiday stress. A drink or two in moderation probably won’t hurt, unless you’re a recovering alcoholic, but drinking heavily can lead to serious problems, including an arrest for driving under the influence. Consider drinking something festive and nonalcoholic. It’s a safer choice and will reduce your stress level.

Make sure to take care of your health. Get adequate sleep and don’t forget your regular workouts, even when your time is consumed by holiday preparations and activities. Your body needs sleep to recharge and renew its cells. Even with the crunch on your time, try to get 8 hours of sleep each night.

Exercise is a natural stress reliever. It rids the body of stress hormones and releases endorphins, the body’s feel-good neurotransmitters. Exercise has been found to reduce anger, tension, fatigue and confusion. Studies show that when regular exercisers become inactive, they begin to feel depressed and fatigued after just one week.

If you’ve tried multiple stress relieving tips and still suffer, consider seeing a professional for help. A therapist can teach you additional strategies for easing the stress of the holiday season and anytime.

In his 18 years of life, this is undeniably the most stressful time of our lives together.

As I prepare to see my 18-year old son off to military boot camp for 13 weeks, I stand by and watch in awe and amazement of the young man I see him become.

The emotional rollercoaster began in his senior year of high school when the talks with military recruiters began taking place. He made his choice quickly and without hesitation. As his mother, I support him in all that he chooses to do. Including serving this great nation.

In our journey together, I’ve quickly realized the high degree of stress such a decision brings with it to both my son and our family. The fear of the unknown; the impending dangers he faces; leaving home for the first time; the reality of not hearing his voice or seeing his face for 13 weeks. After all, I’ve been with him every day for the past 18 years.

As his mother, I’ve raised him all these years in anticipation of this moment. I have to let go. And he has to know that I will be OK.

Meantime, the emotional and physical stress builds.

So, how does one relieve undeniable stress in situations such as these? Unhealthy choices might include a spoon and a pint of ice cream while parked in front of a television set watching Netflix.

But, I didn’t see him through to this point in his life and not intend to be sitting, front row and center, in the stands at his boot camp graduation. So, I’m pretty sure a healthy diet, long walks and my iPod will help see me through.

According to one article, other ways to relax the mind include:

• Hobbies – Do something you enjoy like gardening or volunteer work.
• Home improvements – Choose one room in your home and renovate. Even if that includes something as simple as a fresh coat of paint.
• Write it down – I know for sure I will be writing my son positive letters while he is away. You might also choose to keep a journal and share it later.
• Meditation
• Let your feelings out – Talking with family and friends can be a tremendous comfort. Laugh, cry, and share memories together.
• Exercise – Take a Yoga class, join the gym or just take frequent walks around the neighborhood.

I know I plan to engage in at least one of the above suggestions to help relax my body and mind in the months ahead. I will welcome, and need, the distraction.

Wish me luck. Letting go is so hard.