Holidays can be a particularly stressful time for everyone with all the cleaning, decorating

and planning to do.

Christmas is just 6 days away and Leisa Miness, Director of The Canadian Mental Health

Association's Central region, says many people go through a lot of stress, and even if it isn't

from grief, it may be from the overwhelming pressures of the holidays. Miness notes when

you're facing that remind yourself to do things that will put happiness in place. She explains

being prepared helps and suggests doing your baking early and sticking to what you know.

She also advises to keep things simple and stick to what you know. if you're having  a huge

supper ask everyone to bring things and chip in. She also cautions overindulging in alcohol

because that can be a depressant which will only make things worse.

Miness says another key point is to stay within your budget. Do what you can feasibly do

but also take care of yourself financially. She notes it's important to remember the season

is about being together and giving so it might be good to practice some social responsibility.

Miness adds not everybody is having a great time this year and offering your time can go a

long way to helping others who aren't as fortunate this season.