Oh, the holidays are here again! For many of us, that means candied yams with an extra side dish of family-induced stress. Yes, even the most social of us can be overwhelmed with all the preparation and expectations that go into making a memorable holiday. Try a couple of these stress-busting exercises to put the smile back on your face and the bounce back in your step!

1. Take a deep breath. It may sound simple but the primal act of merely noticing your breath has the transcendent quality of lifting you out of a stressful situation and reminding you to slow down. Try breathing in until your lungs are completely full, and hold the breath inside you as long as possible before exhaling.

2. Live in the moment. While your family is assembled, take a look around and realize how blessed you are to have this time. Next week or tomorrow is never guaranteed, so being thankful for the time you do have will add to your enjoyment of the moment.

3. Stretch. Just 20 minutes of old-fashioned stretching will release natural endorphins–your body’s feel good drug. Notice where you are having the most tension and gently stretch that area while breathing deeply. Hold that position for 10 seconds and then switch to the opposite side.

4. Go for a walk. Take a few minutes to leave your house and walk around the block. Notice the colors of the leaves and pause to watch one fall to the ground. Breathe in the fresh air and remember that life is bigger and more wonderful than we’ll ever know.

5. Laugh! Imagine yourself telling your story years from now to a group of friends. Suddenly, it won’t seem so important that the kids dropped grandma’s fruitcake on the floor or that you used a cup of salt instead of sugar in the cookies.