Even though the holidays should be a time to have a fun break with your family, a study by the American Psychology Association suggests that about 40% of people feel an increase in stress during the holiday season.

Kids make wish lists pages long that parents scramble to fulfill, parties must be planned to perfection, families hope to gather without conflict, and people spend countless dollars trying to make this holiday season one those around them won’t forget.

This article will teach you how to keep your stress levels low and to make this holiday season one where you are truly happy.

Mindfulness means being in the moment, not worrying about what is going to happen in the future or what has happened in the past, but instead living fully in the present. This holiday season, try to really experience what is going on around you and make the most of it.

This means putting down your phone and taking in all of the sights and sounds going on around you. Instead of taking a photo to post on Instagram, take the photo in your mind, examining all of the colors, sounds, and tastes of the experience. You actually live in the experience as opposed to being absorbed in positioning the camera just right.

Another thing that can take away from your holiday experience is materialism.

It is difficult to stay mindful when all you can think about is whether your parents will finally get you that new gadget. But you don’t just have to receive – by giving back, you can make someone else’s holiday really special. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, organize a food drive, or make a donation to a meaningful foundation.

Knowing that you helped someone will boost your own happiness and make you appreciate what you have more.

Along with gifts, the holiday meal is one of the most important parts of the holiday itself. And although food is delicious and it’s okay to indulge in desserts and fatty dishes, try making some small yet healthy substitutes to your meal.

Eating healthier will boost your energy and will actually make you happier during the holidays. The amount of nutrients you eat affect your mood and nutrients along with antioxidants help the brain maintain a healthy functioning that improves your mood drastically.

Try adding oats for iron and calcium into your pies or stuffing. You could even ditch the apple pie and make an apple crisp with oats instead! Make a salad with kale, pumpkin seeds, apples, and dried cranberries for a delicious side to your turkey and mashed potatoes.

A last substitute is to swap your mashed potatoes for sweet potatoes with a little brown sugar and pecans for added magnesium and heart health. The holidays are the time for decadent dishes, but you can easily swap out some ingredients in your delicious meal for healthy results.

Sometimes holidays can be a time of sadness.  This is a more serious but very common situation. If you feel down or downright depressed, understand that you do not need to go through this alone.  You can always turn to someone and ask for help, whether it is a family member, a friend, or one of the many hotlines designed to take calls when you feel that you have nowhere to turn.

Montgomery County has set up a 24/7 hotline for children, adolescents, and young adults.  Simply call, Children’s Crisis Support Hotline: 1-888-HELP-414.

The holidays can be a challenging and stressful time! Despite the stressful situations you may encounter, there are plenty of ways to face and even to enjoy the holidays. Mindfulness, healthy eating may just be the keys to the door of a new kind of holiday season, but in the most trying times, talk to someone or pick up the phone!