1. Explore the city

Sometimes the holidays can mean staying cooped up with family in the house for days on end. Going out to explore the city can be the refreshing break you need after staying in. I'm always surprised at how many new places and activities I find when I go out to explore my hometown. You can find new surprises even in the familiar streets and faces of the town you grew up in!

2. Go Christmas light hunting

One of my favorite holiday traditions in my family is going out to look at Christmas lights. Whether you choose to take in the lights at a seasonal light show or choose to drive around the most festive neighborhoods, enjoying the beautiful Christmas decor can be the perfect way to de-stress after a long day.

3. Read!

Picking up one an old favorite book can be the perfect escape from any stressful situation. Some favorites that I picked up this season were "Inward" by Yung Pueblo and "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson. Even just looking around a bookstore like how I did in the photo above is a good way to escape the chaos.

4. Go on a sweets run

The holidays only come around once a year, so take advantage of all the seasonal treats! The picture above is from an ice cream date I had with friends at one of our favorite spots. And let's be honest, going on an ice cream run with friends is almost always the solution!

5. Have a night out with friends!

Getting together with friends is the perfect way to de-stress amid the hectic times of the holidays. This video was taken on a night my friends and I were out downtown. Sometimes something as simple as grabbing a hot drink and going people-watching is a great way to get out and enjoy the festivities.