"Help me feel more joy this holiday!"

It's a fraught time of year for so many reasons, but our experts promise you can beat the holiday blues and rediscover true contentment

-  KRISTINA MASTROCOLA

Stop to reflect

You’re in control

“Research reveals that joy lives within us, but we don’t recognize that because we’re expecting it to come from outside of ourselves—like a great trip or a spectacular New Year’s celebration,” says author Steven Petrow. Indeed, while happiness springs from external events, like a promotion, it’s typically short-lived. Joy, on the other hand, is longlasting because it comes from the connections we make. Just knowing how much power you have over your internal state can help you begin to cultivate genuine contentment.

Ditch perfect

Perfectionism is the enemy of joy, declares expert Sarah D. Pressman, Ph.D. “Get rid of unrealistic, high expectations,” she urges. To do just that, let yourself laugh at moments of