‘Tis the season for racing through the mall, staying up late decorating the tree and spending all weekend baking cookies. But it does not have to be that way.

A simpler holiday season could be in your future. It is possible to slow things down, focus on what matters and toss aside those so-called traditions that have lost their meaning. Instead of ending up exhausted and depressed, you could wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take in all the meaningful moments that this time of the year offers.

Here’s some ways to get you started.

Think happy thoughts

Join the Happiness Project and in no time you’ll be spreading holiday cheer.

Gretchen Rubin spent a year test-driving theories on how to achieve happiness and turned the results into her best-selling book “The Happiness Project.” You’ll find plenty of information there, but she also has a website packed with inspirational quotes, articles and advice your mother probably never gave you. One of her tips: step away from the screens. Not just TV screens but any screen including those little ones on cell phones. Go for a walk, listen to music, relax, get more sleep.

To find out how to start your own Happiness Project and get daily reminders to put you on the path to joy visit www.happiness-project.com.

Eat to reduce stress

This time of year it’s so tempting to grab a burger and fries before heading out to the mall for holiday shopping, but don’t. Instead, take a little time to eat something that will do more good than harm.

Before you get too wired on lattes and espressos, substitute green, white or black tea, which have about half the caffeine.

Whenever possible chose veggies such as broccoli, kale and green beans, which have high levels of stress-relieving B vitamins.

Munch on a handful of nuts and seeds, which contains lots of magnesium and B vitamins.

Eat an orange, which is loaded with the immunity-booster vitamin C.

Exercise your mind

For decades, writer and editor Dorothea Brande has inspired people of all ages with, among other things, her list of mental exercises, not to be confused with mind games. These exercises can help you see challenges in a new light, which can only be a good thing this time of year.

Her book “Wake Up and Live” was written in 1936, but her exercises still hold true today. Try flexing your mental muscles this holiday season.

Spend one hour a day without saying anything except in answer to direct questions. But do it in a way that doesn’t lead people to ask what’s wrong with you.

For one day, answer yes to all reasonable requests.

Talk for 15 minutes a day without saying I, me, my or mine.

Eat less, feel better

Just say no to overeating. The holidays don’t have to be all about stuffing yourself like a Thanksgiving turkey. Most people only gain about a pound during the holidays, so relax a little. You can shave off some of the calories and still savor holiday treats without a heaping helping of guilt.

Instead of using whole milk and butter to make mashed potatoes yummy, substitute fat-free sour cream or nonfat plain yogurt.

Stay away from cheese logs and summer sausage. A better choice is tomato slices sprinkled with feta cheese atop whole wheat crackers.

Apple pie lovers can skip the high fat crust and instead opt for baked fruit stuffed with cinnamon, walnuts, cranberries and whole-grain oats.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness — the practice of being fully aware in the moment — is really catching on as people search for ways to cope with stress. Several studies have found mindfulness helps people deal with depression, anxiety, eating disorders and sleep problems. One study linked mindfulness with better relationships.

Meditation is one way to reap the benefits of staying in the moment but you don’t have to sit still for 20 minutes with your legs crossed to get the benefits.

When holiday shopping gets you down, take a moment to find a quiet place and practice mindfulness.