It’s easy to get stressed with all that we have to do. Take a break for a holiday tune.

Holidays rarely stress me.

I decided a few years ago that December in a newsroom would be best served with Hallmark movies in the evenings and Mariah Carey on my workday commutes.

Anyone in an office setting understands.

There’s the obligatory office party (where everyone’s objective is NOT to be the topic of conversation the following day); 3,486 end-of-year reports that someone somewhere demands be done NOW; and the Simone Biles-level of difficulty in balancing December and start-of-January must-dos into a few weeks, not counting mystery sick days and coworker vacations that seemingly cover the entire college football bowl schedule.

Plus, there’s the whole gift thing.

We spent the weekend making sure local dollars ended up in local shops and restaurants.

And we’ve been tracking packages across time zones and coordinating at-home alerts — thank you, slimy porch pirates — with family and friends and anyone who needs a basket of pears from Medford, Oregon.

No wonder recruiters keep sending me job alerts to work at Amazon. As I’m writing this, we have more than 30 items en route to our house or someone else’s — and all scheduled to be delivered by the time you read this paragraph.

Taking a cue from Bobby McFerrin

No wonder our 30-month-old granddaughter in Texas keeps singing the Bobby McFerrin summer hit over and over and over because ‘tis the season:

Don’t worry

(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Be happy

(Ooh-ooh-ooh) Don’t worry, be happy

There’s so much going on right now, news-wise.

The N&O’s politics team has been tracking candidate filings and goodbyes for the 2024 elections. What we’re seeing is a bipartisan version of musical chairs.

UNC will soon be shopping for a new chancellor. This storyline likely won’t end with a consensus hug.

School officials and parents are worried about ongoing safety concerns and what the anticipated drop in graduation rates could mean for students and the community.

It’s not the news that’s making everyone nauseous, it’s because almost everyone is cough-cough sick these days.

How do we find the time to absorb what’s happening around us, much less the world?

How do we juggle work with play, life with purpose?

How do we find time to enjoy the holidays and celebrate with each other?

My editor is pressing for this column. There are 46 unopened emails lurking in my inbox. My phone has alerts stacked like Uber drivers at RDU’s Terminal Two.

So many questions, so many worries.

But not for me.

Reindeer, jingle bells and less stress

Recently, a crash near Crabtree Valley Mall backed traffic along Glenwood Avenue just north of Five Points. How long did it take to get home that day? Two Kelly Clarkson songs, including “Underneath the Tree.” Taylor Swift’s “Christmas Tree Farm.” Mariah singing you-know-what. And a multitude of sing-along classics that involved snow, reindeer and jingling bells.

By the time I reached the crash site, my anticipated disdain for those driving under the influence of jerkness melted from the velvet karma of Mr. Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas.”

Yes, holidays rarely stress me.

Because I now handle December by listening to holiday music in November.

A dose of Mariah, Bing and maybe a bit of Bobby, too.

Don’t worry

(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Be happy

(Ooh-ooh-ooh) Don’t worry, be happy

Bill Church is executive editor of The News & Observer.