The holiday season is often depicted as a time of joy and togetherness, but for many, family gatherings can bring about stress, anxiety, and overwhelming emotions. Whether you’re managing social anxiety, navigating complex family dynamics, or simply feeling the weight of the busy season, these gatherings can become mentally and emotionally taxing. If you’re feeling this way, it’s important to know that you’re not alone, and there are ways to protect your mental health while still engaging with your loved ones.

Today as I watched my kids at the beach playing with mollusks, I experienced a moment of mindfulness. Mindfulness is “open, active attention to the present” and is a great tool for managing everything from daily stress to more serious mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, and OCD.