MM: 5 Tips to Beat Holiday Stress 12/21/15 | Four Columns Marketing The holiday season is a time filled with joy, happiness, and festive gatherings. However, sometimes all the good times are overshadowed by endless to-do lists and stress. Here are 5 things that will help make you feel less overwhelmed and enjoy this time of year with your friends and family. Stay active Between wrapping gifts, cooking and preparing for guests, you may feel that you don’t have time to get out and be active. However, just 30 minutes walking down the street and enjoying the holiday decorations will give you a burst of energy and help you to feel refreshed. Enjoy the simple joys It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of the holiday season and forget why we love it in the first place. Take time to appreciate old traditions, such as baking cookies and stopping to look at Christmas lights. Savor these special moments! Give back Take the focus off of you and give back to your community. Participate in a food drive, volunteer at a nursing home, or donate to the salvation army. There are so many opportunities during the holidays to help those in need. Focus on the good It’s easy to focus on what is not going right in your life. Take time to reflect on your year and be grateful of all the positive things that have happened. Be realistic We have such high expectations for the season. But lets face it, you may not get around to making all 8 different types of desserts you pinned on Pinterest. You also may not be able to attend every single holiday party you were invited to, and that is okay. Enjoy this time of year and remember what it is all about. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It only comes around once a year so relax and enjoy these moments with your friends and family.