Bye-bye, holiday stress and worries!

The carols, the lights, the love and laughter-there's so much to treasure this time of year. But for 77% of us, the stress of the hustle and bustle leaves us overwhelmed. Luckily, it's possible to tame tension and anxiety so you can enjoy every holiday moment to its fullest. And these strategies work in 5 minutes or less!

- Melissa Gotthardt

✓ Take a book break 

Waking up a few minutes early to enjoy some well-deserved alone time and read just three pages of a book (or this magazine!) slashes stress by 68%, say British researchers. In fact, their study found that reading reduced folks' stress levels faster than unwinding in ways like listening to music or taking a walk. Experts say reading engages the prefrontal cortex, a brain region that puts the brakes on stress and anxiety.

✓ Pinch some pine