Mary has familial tremors and cervical dystonia. She’s been a hairdresser for 40 years and says the holidays can be particularly stressful both on the job and at home. “When I get stressed, I get very shaky. As a hairdresser, that’s a problem,” Mary said.

Her husband, Mark, says he can sense when the stress is getting to Mary, especially when she’s tired and over- extended. “I try to help out where I can—make meals, help decorate, be there for the boys when they were little,” Mark said. “We’ve only accomplished what we have because we’ve worked together as a team all our years.”

He’s retired and their two boys are adults, so life during the holidays is much easier than it used to be. They remember a time when balancing family and work life with holiday gift giving, decorating, party planning, and hosting was overwhelming.

“Every year I would have a meltdown, especially when the kids were little. I put so much pressure on myself between work craziness and holiday preparation. I thought I was going to be the next Martha Stewart,” Mary said. “I’ve let go of that pressure now. That’s my biggest piece of advice. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself.”

Here are some practical tips for taking the pressure off during the holidays:

• Be realistic   Forget Martha Stewart and Norman Rockwell. Perfection isn’t achievable during the holidays and only brings stress trying to achieve it. Aim for enjoyable, not flawless, celebrations.

• Maintain your treatment plan   Prioritize your health. Don’t let additional holiday tasks derail your doctor visits, physical therapy and/or other scheduled treatment for dystonia.

• Limit social commitments   Special events and invitations multiply during the holiday season. You don’t need to attend them all. Choose the most important ones to you and decline the others.

• Simplify traditions   Modify holiday traditions to suit your health demands. For example, downsize the decorating, go potluck for big family meals, and focus gift-giving on a select few.

• Delegate   Don’t try to do everything on your own. Ask for help with holiday preparations, such as cooking, cleaning, or decorating.

• Listen to your body   Be aware of your dystonia symptoms and any potential triggers that may worsen them. Avoid situations during the holidays that may exacerbate your symptoms and maintain proper diet and exercise.

• Plan to rest   Incorporate rest into your holiday plans. Take breaks to recharge during the day and prioritize getting a good night’s sleep.

• Seek professional help if needed   An inordinate amount of stress can lead to anxiety and depression. Seek treatment from a professional who can provide talk therapy and medication if warranted.

• Enjoy the season   Remember the true meaning of the holidays and enjoy your family and friends. Your close family and friends are not going to judge you, Mary says. They may not know how it feels to live with dystonia, but they’re at least aware of some of the challenges.