‘Tis the season to be on the edge of losing it. (Fa la la la la, la la la la!) Of course, when things get stressful during the holidays, many are tempted to kick back with a drink or three.

But what if you’re trying to be responsible and work your way through your stress without booze? To begin with, good for you! But for those of you that might see this as a challenge, fear not because this won’t be as difficult as you’d think.

Here are 5 ways to beat holiday stress without alcohol.

• Read a book/Schedule daily reading time

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  You'd be surprised how relaxing reading a book is. Plus, when you take even just a 30-minute break with a book to unwind, it usually helps bring a little clarity to whatever problem you're facing. There's also the added bonus of being able to brag you've read a certain book so you can make that one snooty cousin of yours feel dumb in comparison. (Let's face it...we all have that one cousin that's just the worst.)

• Binge your favorite show (again)

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  If reading isn't your thing, revisit one of your favorite TV shows again. There have been numerous studies/articles that have emerged since the pandemic that touch on how binging a show you've seen many times is a form of self-care and acts as a soothing force. So, never feel guilty for rewatching a series for the 12th time! You're just looking out for your well-being.

• Exercise

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  Yeah, yeah...I know this one gets thrown around a lot, but hear me out. Have you ever regretted a workout after you've completed it? Most likely the answer is no. Plus, you don't have to go to a fancy gym to elevate your heart rate. There are plenty of free workouts on YouTube to check out. If all else fails, put on your favorite tunes and dance around your home. It sounds insane, but as someone who does this multiple times a week, it's quite fun, so don't knock it until you try it.
• Fold your laundry

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  Sure, no one likes folding laundry, but if you're reading this, there's a good chance you have a pile of clothes that you have just been avoiding for way longer than you'd care to admit. Fold it! Not only will you accomplish something, which always feels great, but if you're like me, then you'll find a top in that laundry pile you've completely forgotten about, and it'll feel like you've magically gone shopping without dropping any cash.

• Clean something

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  Seriously, just clean something. It doesn't matter what it is either. It could be your kitchen or straightening up your living room.  My personal favorite when dealing with stress that may also pack some anger with it is scrubbing grout. Not only does grout usually always need a good scrubbing, but it's an activity where you can really use some force to release your pent-up rage all while getting a positive result. It's a win-win.

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