Is holiday stress getting to you? Try Mayo Clinic’s tips, including mindfulness, for some self-care and relief
- Are you buying a gift because you feel like you must? Sometimes the more meaningful gifts are actions or activities we can do with people we care about
- Are you thinking enough about yourself? Self-care can be about mindfulness – giving yourself permission to slow down and not think about anything

For those who are overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of the holiday period - shopping for gifts, preparing meals and juggling different traditions, staff from the Mayo Clinic in the US state of Minnesota offer this helpful guide for making the season less challenging.
The end-of-year holiday season means different things to different people. Family and religious traditions are observed in various ways, and the meals and extra activities can lead to a lot of stress.
For many people, much of the focus tends to be on gift-giving. Gifts are a wonderful way to show love, appreciation and gratitude, but not everyone needs a gift in the traditional sense.
Most people tend to think about a gift as something that is purchased - an item wrapped with ribbon and paper to be opened and enjoyed. But making a meaningful connection or having a deeper conversation with someone can also be a gift.
Take time to pause and think about what is important, as that can probably provide a greater value.
Sometimes the more meaningful gifts are the things we give from the heart – actions or activities we can do with people we care about.