ORLANDO, Fla. – It's easy to get overwhelmed during the holidays because there's so much to do with so little time. So here's how to avoid having a holiday meltdown.
Give yourself permission to be imperfect. That's according to Noah St. John, author of "The Book of Afformations."
"The No. 1 reason people stress over the holidays is that people think everything has to be perfect and that's never going to happen," St. John said.
"An afformation is an empowering question. Why am I so calm? Why am I so relaxed? So your brain will focus on what is right with you and immediately lower your stress," St. John said.
Say the afformations out loud or write them down. Instead of focusing on what's wrong or what you don't have, focus on what you do have to reduce your stress level.
Expect the expected, especially when it comes to your family during the holidays.
"If Aunt Sally is always going to do that thing that she does that bugs you, then you realize, 'Maybe I'm the one that needs to change my perspective,'" St. John explains.
St. John also says to treat family like strangers. He says you're more polite to them or you could learn more about them that way.
"So when you ask Uncle Bob, 'Why do you cheer for the Browns?' as you would a stranger, you will find things about your own family you might not know about," St. John said.
And when else fails, remember what the holiday season is all about.
"Enjoy the moment. Every moment with your family is a precious moment so enjoy them while they are there," St. John said.