One of Linda Herrick's first tips on keeping holiday stress to a minimum seems simple.

"Try to only do what you want to do," she said.

Sometimes that's easier said than done, especially when so many things feel more like obligations than options when it comes to Christmas.

One example: Herrick said she stopped sending Christmas cards more than 12 years ago. And, she said, no one noticed.

"No one is paying attention, " she said. "Everyone is wrapped up in themselves."

Herrick, a Plainfield resident and owner of Alternative Soulutions and A Realm Beyond, offered her advice in a presentation, "Holiday Stress Busters," she made Tuesday at Leeza's Place at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Leeza's Place provides support for caregivers. Herrick is a reiki master and hypnotherapist.

Kim Jackson, Leeza's care advocate assistant, said she's doing exactly as Herrick as advised. For the first time, she's scaling back what she does during the holidays in order to appreciate the important things, she said.

"I said, 'Let's just focus on family,'" said Jackson, also of Plainfield. "I'm focusing on what the season is this year."

Herrick said the holidays can bring joy, but any pleasure you might derive can be overshadowed by worrying about other things. By consciously trying to enjoy the moment as you experience it, you may find your stress levels decreasing and your understanding of what's important increasing, she said.

"We spend so much of our tome in the past and the future that we're not living life," she said. "If you can make a commitment to be in present moment, you will reduce stress 99.9 percent, I promise."

Herrick said the most important step in the process to breathe. Most of us take very shallow breaths throughout the day, she said.

"I would invite you to take some (deep) breathing breaths throughout the day," she said. "As you're breathing, please be aware that you have been given the gift of life."

The point is to be "in the moment," she said. Calming down, looking around and appreciating what you're experiencing is key to how "present" you are in what you're doing, Herrick said.

"You're here. You might as well pay attention," she said.