"It's the most wonderful time of the year" says Andy Williams in his song, and indeed many of us are looking forward to the Christmas holiday season and the start of the new year.

Christmas is the brightest holiday of the year and therefore gives rise to high expectations.

Lights, decorations, smiles, tables, alcohol, socializing... Everything around creates the conditions for a festive mood.

However, this period is not equally happy for everyone and all of the above can quickly cause stress and melancholy.

Although the holiday season can be difficult and stressful, there are several ways to minimize stress and anxiety so you can fully enjoy this wonderful time of year.

How to manage Christmas stress?

If you are one of those who feel anxious and melancholy during the holidays, see how you can feel better:

1. Prioritize according to your OWN desires

Choose the activities and people you want to see and leave the rest aside. You don't need to drag yourself or your family from event to event. Think quality, not quantity.

2. Make it easy and focus on the important things

If you have guests at home, instead of cooking everything from scratch - which can cause you a lot of stress trying to get everything done and have it perfect - you can easily ask your guests to contribute to the table by bringing some appetizers and desserts.

3. Don't expect "perfect"

No housewarming party can be perfect. A burnt turkey shouldn't ruin anyone's happy mood, let alone create a funny family memory. It's important to keep things in perspective. If something goes wrong, it's not the end of the world. Try to remember the good things you have in your life and recognize that this situation will pass.

4. Clearly state your boundaries

It's important to know your boundaries, especially with family and friends. If you don't express them to others so they know what you're going to do or not do, it's time to make them clear.

Just because you've done things in the past doesn't mean you have to continue doing them now. Times and priorities change, and that should be fully respected.

Think about the previous Christmases you've spent and try to determine how much time you're willing to spend with family, friends, and acquaintances this year before you feel any negative stress.

Ask yourself:

• Can you limit the number of invitations you will attend?
• Can you limit the time you spend with family and friends to show them how important they are to you without this situation tiring you out?

The Christmas season can be particularly stressful when you have to spend long hours with family and friends - and this is likely due to complicated relationships.

Christmas is also a time when people remember family and other important life events, so it can be difficult for people who have lost loved ones.

All of these dynamics can increase the stress factor, and stress in turn can cause depression.

Chronic stress in particular increases the risk of major depression, but even acute or short-term stress can be problematic. For some, Christmas brings what is known as the "Holiday Blues" or "Christmas Depression."

It brings them feelings of sadness, loneliness, and anger, and these feelings can be intensified when they conflict with the expectations evoked by the Christmas season, namely the joy, the decorations, the lights, the gifts, the happy advertisements, the songs.

So how do you cope with Christmas depression?

• Recognize your moods. It's perfectly okay if you're not in a festive mood.
• Spend time with people who care about you.
• If finances are causing you stress or worry, set a realistic budget and stick to it.
• Maintain healthy habits: eat right and in moderation, exercise daily, and take time for yourself.
• Volunteer your time to help others. Spending time with those in need can help you feel less isolated.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption to relieve negative emotions. Alcohol often worsens depression.
• Try to appreciate all the good things you have today instead of focusing on the past.

This holiday season, make sure to take time for yourself. Remember to do things you enjoy. Don't over-stuff your schedule and make sure to leave enough time to relax and recover after a social event.

Think about aspects of your life that bring you joy, go for a long walk with your dog, listen to your favorite music, or read a new book.

We all need some time to recharge our batteries. Make conscious decisions and focus on the present instead of clinging to the past or worrying about the future.

And most importantly, seek professional help if you need it.