I joined Candace Rose for an interview to discuss how we can avoid disappointment this season and stop being so hard on ourselves, the secret to saying “no”, and stress relieving tips we can use when we feel a sense of overwhelm.

Candace Rose: The holidays are often thought of as the most wonderful time of the year, but for some that might not be the case. What’s the best way to avoid being disappointed this season?

Dr. Christine Carter: “A mound of research shows that we are happiest over the holidays when we give to others, particularly when we give to people in need.

I like people to create what I call a giving trifecta by shopping at retailers that donate a portion of the proceeds to causes that are really close to your heart. For example, this year I’ll be making my gift purchases through the AmazonSmile program and then I’ll use my Chase Freedom card to do that because I get that trifecta or that triple whammy of gift giving, so everybody on my list obviously gets their present and then the AmazonSmile program gives money to the Tipping Point, which is a local charity that I chose and is really close to my heart. That Chase Freedom card allows me to donate back the rewards, so I get 5% cash back on that and I turn around and donate that money to the Tipping Point as well.

That makes my gift giving which can sometimes be disappointing, as you mentioned, or even stressful much, much more meaningful and fulfilling.”

Read the full interview I had with Candace and check out the rest of the questions she had for me by clicking here.