I have a happy dinner party photo from New Year’s 2019: a cozy, grinning group of fourteen of us. We look so innocent, having no idea how dramatically our world would change in just a few months. That was the last bash I threw, and as I gear up for Thanksgiving, Hannukah, and Christmas this year (smaller and even cozier!), I’m grateful that we can gather again. We’ve been through the mill; our anxiety and stress are at an all-time high. One thing that I prioritized during the pandemic (for the first time in my life) was self-care. A blend of meditation, exercise, and a healthy diet boosted me during the months of isolation. As my social life has crept back, so have a few bad habits. We reached out to some experts for some holiday tips on managing expectations this season and keeping anxiety at bay.

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