The holidays offer a great opportunity to get together with family and friends, but they can also be a time of stress. There are often lots of things to do to prepare for holidays, from planning meals to putting up decorations, and you might be dealing with stressful things outside of that too. Sometimes it might seem tempting not to bother with your usual holiday activities if you're already stressed. But keeping up with your holiday traditions could actually be a fantastic way to deal with stress and find time to relax and have fun. They can provide a sense of familiarity and comfort, and deliver proven benefits for your mental health too.

Enjoy the Cooking Process

Preparing food for the holidays can feel stressful, but only if you let it. You can look at it as an obligation and a stressful task that must be done. But cooking and baking can also be very enjoyable, giving you a break from the daily humdrum. It can be methodical and calming or you can allow yourself to get creative and have some fun. If you want to make it more fun and relaxing than stressful, try preparing things in advance. It's much more fun when you're not up against the clock.

Get Outdoors

Getting outdoors during the holidays is something a lot of people love to do, from going skiing to taking a walk, it can have a positive impact on both your physical and mental health. Getting out in the sun can help to relieve seasonal affective disorder and staying active during the holidays can lift your mood, as well as get your body moving.

Spend Time with Others

Spending the holidays with family members that you may have differences with may be challenging for some people. Having a Thanksgiving with relatives you may not care to be around doesn't have to stop you from enjoying yourself. Try focusing on the people you do enjoy being with and find gratitude for those who are special in your life. Spending time with others during the holidays is one of the best things about them. For anyone who may not have seen their friends and family last year or for even longer, it's the perfect time to catch up and let go of stress.

Unwind with Holiday Movies and Music

If you want to let go of stress, it's never too early to start watching holiday movies or listening to holiday music. Music and movies are always great for helping you to unwind, giving you an excuse to sit down and veg out or maybe dance around a bit. Put on your holiday favorites and enjoy quoting your favorite lines or singing along to get into the holiday spirit.

Smell Some Holiday Scents

Your sense of smell has a strong association with memory. Smelling all of your favorite holiday fragrances can help you to remember all of the happy holidays that you've had in previous years. It's the perfect time to bake the holiday cookies you love, burn some scented candles, or get some traditional Christmas flowers and plants in your home.

Keeping up with your holiday traditions can give you a sense of order even during stressful times. It's a way to maintain normality and enjoy the things that you love.