Despite the holiday season having a reputation for being a time of joy, for some of us, it might also be a time of elevated stress and feeling anxious. Increased responsibilities around the house, and having to push through the last few weeks of work before the holiday break can leave us feeling stretched thin, irritable, frustrated, and burned out.

Over recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift compared to other holiday periods. More and more people are carrying a burden of stress, and feeling increasingly anxious due to external factors such as finances, family, and work.

Some recent industry-related findings concluded that around two-thirds, or roughly 67 percent of Americans are seeing an increase in their usual stress levels around this time of the year. This however is a slight decrease from the recorded 72 percent from a year earlier, however, there is a common theme often shared among a lot of us, and that’s that the holiday period can be stressful.

Being aware of your surroundings, and those you surround yourself with during the holidays can play as an indication of the things, or people that may trigger your stress and anxiety levels. However, more importantly, finding ways to combat excessive feelings of stress, and looking for ways to practice mindfulness during this festive period can be a way for you to overcome that burden, and still enjoy your holiday break.

Find stillness in the chaos 

Droves of family visitors, endless dinner parties, looking for the perfect gift, and decorating your house can leave one feeling that they have more on their plate than they can chew. Instead, taking some time to be still, and alone, will help you reflect on all the things you’ve accomplished this year.

A good way to find stillness in all the chaos is by frequently spending time alone. This could be by taking yourself out for a coffee or having lunch by yourself in a quiet corner of a restaurant. Journaling can also help you to pen down all your thoughts, even if you’re not planning on reading those notes again.

Care for yourself, first 

While we’re often conditioned to look for ways to care for other people around us, whether this may be during the holidays or other times of the year; caring for yourself is one of the best ways to find balance in your life.

Consider which lifestyle choices are impacting your mental and physical health. Replacing these habits with things such as a good diet, exercise or even incorporating a self-care routine can provide you with positive near-term, and potentially long-term benefits.

Give yourself time to let go 

This may have been a challenging year, with endless obstacles that really pushed you to your limits. The end of the year is always a good time to reflect on all that took place, both the good and bad, and find ways of letting go of those things that no longer benefit you, or provide you with a feeling of contentment.

By letting go of these things, you gradually lighten your burdens, but most importantly, you give yourself enough room to grow into new things, whether that’s overcoming mental challenges, or letting go of a past relationship. Be honest with yourself, and what you want, but most importantly, consider how your current baggage might hold you back from achieving your goals in the new year.

Get in touch with your mental feelings 

During the year, we tend to overlook our mental and emotional capacity. Being occupied at work or home can take away a lot of time we need to focus on ourselves. Now that you’re at the end of the year, and have some time to reflect on everything, get in touch with your inner feelings and emotions once again.

Another thing to consider is to identify the things in your life that may trigger you, whether that’s a person or a place. Try and avoid these interactions, or try to find a workable solution that allows you to address the issue firsthand and move on from it.

Don’t feel rushed to get everything checked off from your mental checklist. Instead, start with the things that you know are weighing down your mental capacity.

Lower your expectations 

Most of us want this to be the most memorable time of the year. While that is completely possible, having high expectations for the holiday season and the people you will most likely spend it with could lead to feeling disappointed when things don’t turn out as anticipated.

Break away from traditions or stigmas that no longer benefit you, and focus on the things that make you feel content. The holidays are different for everyone, and not all of us might celebrate it the same way. Instead, look for things that provide you with more fulfilling experiences, and give yourself room to overcome a sense of discomfort in the face of disappointment.