Health Conditions A-Z Mental Health Conditions Stress 5 Ways to Ease Holiday Stress in 5 Minutes or Less Ah, the holidays. By Health.com Editorial Team Health.com Editorial Team An article by 'Health.com Editorial Team' indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors may contribute to an article over the years. These collaborations allow Health.com editors to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available. The editors at Health.com are a dedicated team of experienced health editors, writers, and other media professionals who strive to bring trustworthy and responsible health and medical content to their readers. As a team, we have decades of experience in health journalism, and have worked at legacy publishers and some of the biggest news and media companies in the U.S. health's editorial guidelines Published on November 13, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Ah, the holidays. The most wonderful—and stressful—time of the year. While there are a few ways to get ahead of the stress (like choosing healthy options at the office holiday party or buying holiday gifts earlier in the year to avoid crowds), it still may manage to find its way in. Luckily, there are several ways to deal with stress if it pops up during the holidays. Watch the video for ways you can ease holiday stress and make the most of your time with family and friends. 5 Yoga Moves to Relieve Holiday Stress Don’t have time to watch? Read the full transcript: Take a whiff of citrus: Citrus fragrances can alleviate stress by upping levels of norepinephrine, the mood hormone. Squeeze a pressure point: Applying pressure to the fleshy part between the finger and thumb can reduce tension in your upper body. Go tech-free: Constant cell phone buzzes and email keeps us in a perpetual fight-or-flight mode. Savor a spicy meal: Hot foods trigger the release of endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals. Get busy: Sex boosts immunity and reduces stress. Have at it. And, as always, exercise: Workouts can boost your mood for up to 12 hours. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit