21 Holiday Stress Busters

How to Have a Stress-Less Holiday

By Therese Borchard

I have a theory regarding holiday stress: In the month of December, high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) turn 80 percent of the American population into fruitcakes--just like the stale one delivered to your house last week. Because on top of adding 675 things to your to-do list, the holidays mean you've now got to deal with the strained relationship with your dad and two brothers. Bummer. Here, then, are my tips to drive your stress down a notch, so that you don't hurl the mistletoe at an obnoxious relative. Eat that fruitcake, don't become it!

Therese J. Borchard writes the Beyond Blue blog on Beliefnet.