While holidays are portrayed as magical, joyful times, the reality is that this season often brings with it a unique blend of pressures.

Shopping lists, financial strain, family dynamics, travel plans, and the social expectation to keep up a cheerful facade.

If this resonates with you, you're not alone. Many of us experience heightened stress during

the holidays, and the key to finding peace is approaching it with compassion and balance.

I, your resident Dr. Grinch, is here to give you a few tips on how to manage holiday stress.

Welcome back to savvy psychologist.

I'm your host, Dr. Monica Johnson.

Every week on this show, I'll help you face life's challenges with evidence-based approaches,

a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

So the first thing we're going to talk about today is setting realistic expectations for yourself.

One of the biggest sources of holiday stress stems from the pressure to create, quote-unquote, perfect holiday moments.

This can include well-decorated homes, impeccable meals,

thoughtful gifts, and a sense of endless cheer. It's easy to get caught up in these expectations,

especially when social media and advertisements paint an idealized picture of the holidays.

Take a moment to reflect on what you truly want

out of the holiday season.

Is it quality time with loved ones, rest, or moments of joy?

Once you know what's meaningful to you,

give yourself permission to let go of the less important

tasks or traditions that add unnecessary stress.

Remember it's okay if everything isn't perfect.

Often the imperfect moments are the ones that we remember most fondly.

...