The holiday season is here and it’s the most wonderful time of the year – or so we’re told. In reality, while the holidays can spark feelings of joy and love, for some people this season brings feelings of loneliness, stress, and anxiety.

According to Psychology Today, a survey by the American Psychological Association found that while the majority of people in the survey reported high spirits over the holidays, those emotions of happiness and love were often accompanied by feelings of fatigue, stress, irritability, bloating, and sadness.

Furthermore, 38 percent of people surveyed said their stress level increased during the holiday season due to stressors such as lack of time, lack of money, commercialism, the pressures of gift-giving, family gatherings, and an increase in stress at work.

So what can you do to beat back the holiday blues? Here are a few tips that might help restore your holiday joy:

Start the day off right. Incorporate early morning meditation into your routine to help reduce stress and maintain calmness throughout the day.

Give thanks. Keep a daily gratitude journal. The holidays are the perfect time to remember what you are thankful for.

Relax, relate, release! Find ways to relax throughout the holidays whether it’s through meditation, yoga, journaling, or stealing away to be alone. Use that alone time to listen to your favorite music or just sit in silence. And be sure to get enough rest (7-9 hours per night).

Work it out. Don’t neglect your exercise routine during the holidays and remember to stay hydrated.

Make your list and check it twice. All the things you have to do during the holiday season will feel more manageable if you get those tasks out of your head and onto paper. Make a to-do list and check off tasks as you complete them so you can celebrate your progress.

Remember – “No” is a complete sentence. When making that to-list, be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Know when to say no – to others and even to yourself.

Don’t try to be a big spender. Set a holiday budget so you won’t be stressed about money during the holidays and after.

Lean on others. If the holidays are a reminder of loss, be sure to stay around people who care about and support you.

Keep in mind that there is a difference between the holiday blues, which typically go away when the holiday season ends, and more severe depression, which lasts longer and can interfere with everyday life. If the holiday season passes and you’re still feeling depressed or anxious, get help from a medical professional.

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