by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

For many of us, the craziness starts this Thursday and continues through the first day of 2015. But you don’t have to get tied up in all the nonsense. Here are five practical ways you can tone down stress over the holidays.

Five Ways to Cut Down on Holiday Stress

1. Think PEACE.

Rather than losing your temper, worrying about petty things and getting stressed out in general, consider that peace is a gift you can give to yourself and others. Rather than stressing out…stop, take a deep breath and think PEACE.

2. Analyze how you spend your time.

Is your holiday season unsustainable? Do you keep filling your calendar with unimportant events? Unless your granddaughter is part of the ensemble, it’s perfectly fine to turn down that invitation to see the Nutcracker.

3. Take a vacation from people pleasing.

It’s not your job to keep everyone in your life happy all the time. While you don’t want to be rude or nasty, don’t feel you have to please everyone else at your own expense.

4. Err on the side of simplicity.

Rather than adding more stuff to your life and that of others, consider ways you might relax and spend time with them instead.

5. Let peace be your roadmap.

If a decision or activity doesn’t bring peace into your life, take a different path.