Staying joyful is important when things get stressful or difficult. Busy holidays can increase stress. But, life can be filled with positive energy and happiness. Remain in joy regardless of what the holiday circumstances bring you. Each holiday is a unique opportunity to do something that brings you more joy.

As holidays get closer, find ways to stay calm. Let peace radiate out to others. Let them see the peace you have, and they will feel better about the holidays too. You can help a lot of people just by staying happy and positive during stressful holiday times. Know the holidays are what you make of them. Choose to make them joyful and fun. 

Turn the stress of your life into a positive energy by focusing on solutions. Holidays are wonderful times to enjoy family and friends. Enjoy finding the beauty of the holidays. See that beauty and focus on it to help keep your stress levels low. Low stress means high happiness. 

Stay in joy this holiday season by walking in...

The holidays are an interesting time. It can be a time of joy, excitement, and anticipation. It can also be stressful. 

Add to that the fact that you still resent what Uncle Bill did last Christmas, and the possibility that your cousin might have Covid-19, and the holidays just got even more stressful. 

Holidays can also be expensive! The cost of gifts, travel, and extra food can really add up in a hurry. 

Keep these tips in mind to help reduce holiday stress: 

1. Take time for family and friends. This may look very different this year, maybe it is zoom calls or phone calls. Maybe it is sending a letter or card. Keeping others in mind can help us as well.

2. Get some sun. The days are shorter in the northern hemisphere during the winter months. Many people are sensitive to not getting enough sunlight. Sit by a window with good sun exposure and get all the sunlight you can for an hour each day. You’ll feel less stressed. Use the time to read a book or make...

This year has been difficult for many and as we go into the holiday season you may be very anxious and even sad when you think about how different this year will be. Family gatherings will be much smaller or not at all. Gift giving is stressing you out due to finances or just what to do in these confusing times.

Before we get into the gift ideas, let's talk about expectations. The holiday season is often fraught with anxiety, depression, and disappointment as our expectations of what we want or think we should have for the holiday season does not come to fruition.

So, how can we curb our expectations?

Changing our expectations is about being realistic about what will happen based on the decisions we make. Yes, we have control over all of this.

We celebrated Christmas when I was younger, many people around the world have different holidays that they celebrate at this time of year. Christmas was such a big deal in our family, big stockings, gifts overflowing into the middle of the...