If you feel more stressed than overjoyed during "the most wonderful time of the year, you're in good company; 38% of Americans report an increase in levels of stress during November and December. While the widely circulated idea that suicide rates are the highest during the holiday season actually turns out to be false, there are plenty of other real stressors during this season: a perceived lack of time, money worries, overcommercialization, gift-giving pressures, family get-togethers, and even the general worry over not enjoying the season enough can all contribute to stress and depression. 

If you tend more toward the frantic than the fa-la-la, there are ways to cope with the onslaught of negative feelings. The Mayo Clinic recommends setting (and adhering to) a strict budget; being realistic about traditions and accepting situations and loved ones for what/who they are; and reaching out to others to find support and connection during the long, dark nights of December. 

In the spirit of that final recommendation, we have compiled a few examples of how the holiday season has inspired people around the world to create innovative solutions to a diverse range of problems including isolated senior citizens, accessible design for children with disabilities, groundwater retention, and grief management. 

• In Colorado, what began as an individual project for a family adapting toys for their children with disabilities to use and communicate with has turned into a global non-profit operation. With a dedicated volunteer base and a frugal idea to make toys more accessible, "Santa's Little Hackers" help children with disabilities receive toys that are fun and accessible.
• In Stockholm, old Christmas trees are being converted into biochar. When integrated into the city's highly-efficient power grid, the project has been wildly successful in improving soil, retaining groundwater, greening the city, and lowering carbon emissions. Officials as far away as California have been eying the plan with interest in hopes that it might bring the same benefits to their communities.
• In Los Angeles, friends who felt Christmas to be a reminder of lost loved ones banded together to create the Dinner Party, a national organization that brings together individuals trying to cope with grief. Each potluck event is facilitated by professional therapists who have received special training to provide better assistance and resources to attendees.