According to the American Psychological Association, 44 percent of women and 31 percent of men feel an increase in their stress level around the holidays. Best Life asked Laurie Poole to share some insight about holiday stress and how to manage it. Read on for her tips on how to keep calm and carry on this holiday season—and even enjoy yourself while you’re at it.

A common holiday stressor for many is trying to meet expectations you think will make everyone happy, whether that’s a flawlessly decorated home, beautifully staged holiday tables, or perfectly wrapped presents. We are not Martha Stewart! And what friends and family remember in the end is how they felt during the celebrations. So it’s best to keep it simple, ask for others to pitch in, and don’t put that pressure on yourself.

Read the article here

Laurie Poole, MS, LPC

Laurie is a Licensed Professional Counselor with her Masters of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. She is also a graduate of McGill University in Montreal. She received advanced practical training in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples and families at UT Southwestern, where she spent five years in the Department of Psychiatry’s Family Studies Clinic working with diverse clients of all ages. In addition, she has completed training in Collaborative Law for couples seeking divorce to find solutions in a more amicable way.