21 Ways to Keep Stress From Ruining Your Holidays

The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most stressful. But packed schedules and endless obligations don't have to ruin the run-up to Christmas and New Year's. Try being mindful and looking for relief where you can.

For example, in your community. Head to a church service, if that's your thing. Or don't skip book club this month. Go to wherever your people are—even if it's only for an hour.

Holidays mean different things to different people. Sometimes, this means they're less important to others. It's important to manage your expectations of others around the holidays, whether it's who will attend or what presents you will get. Look forward to those things you can control. Be open to the unexpected in everything else.

Don't avoid your feelings of stress or disappointment. Acknowledge them, whether it's to a friend, your partner or a professional. Once you express it out loud, you may find relief.

Put down the to-do list and get in the tub. Indulge in whatever special ways you have to relax, even if it's just for 20 minutes.

We're surrounded by cookies, huge meals, spiked drinks and indulgence during the holidays. Those times you're not at a party or special lunch or dinner, focus on eating healthful snacks. Go for nuts and raw veggies over cookies and bars. Drink lots of water instead of hot sweetened teas or eggnog.

If you're a drinker, be there for the toasts. Order the holiday signature cocktail. Tip a New Year's champagne. But know your limit and stick to it. A drink can temporarily make the stress go away, but too much will leave you feeling tired, especially the next day.

Walking is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. So, when holiday madness starts to take its toll, getting outside for at least 20 minutes will clear and calm the mind. It's also some nice alone time during a season when you're constantly socializing.

If budget worries have added to your stress, consider making gifts instead of buying them. Find old family recipes for fudge, toffee or cookies. Or bake breads and cakes. A thoughtful homemade gift will be especially appreciated in these times of abundance. If cooking is a way you relax, it's a double de-stressing bonus.

Massage—foot, full-body, professional, from a partner—is a known stress-reliever and a great go-to when you've reached peak holiday pressure. Indulge in a spa afternoon if you can spare the time and cost. Or ask your significant other to rub your shoulders. If you're on your own, pinch the skin between your thumb and index finger for instant headache (and stress) relief.

We can't control others, only ourselves, and many of us have members of the family with whom we disagree on important matters. If you know you'll be together, make the decision to set aside your differences. If this means avoiding each other, that's fine. Do what you need to do to keep the peace and a stress-less social situation.

Make a holiday de-stress playlist and plug in as needed. Going inward and listening to your own tunes, instead of Christmas songs on a loop, will give you a temporary de-stress boost.

There's always more to do on the holidays: more decorations, more cooking, more shopping. Plenty of others—classroom teachers, neighborhood groups, church—wouldn't mind extra help. Say yes to only those extras you're truly moved to take part in. Turn down everything else. Protect your time and energy.

Santa's coming for the kids. All other family members can do a secret gift exchange. Set a price limit, throw names in a hat and have everybody pick one. Adult siblings, in-laws, cousins, aunts and uncles can all take part. Buying one nice gift instead of desperately trying to get something special for everyone is a far more enjoyable way to spend the holiday season.

Keep up your health during the holidays. Nothing adds to stress like a cold or low energy. Between indulgent holiday parties and co-worker Christmas lunches, make sure you're eating a rainbow, consuming whole grains and greens, and drinking plenty of water.

Sleep is when your brain organizes itself, storing way important things to remember and getting rid of the rest. Prioritizing your eight hours will go a long way in keeping your mind clear and free from stress (or, at least, it will help you to be less stressed).

Instead of carrying around all the things you need to do in your mind, write it down. Then organize it into a plan. Make sure you're not shopping everyday—only once or twice if possible. Get holiday parties into the calendars. Give yourself a deadline for taking the family Christmas picture. If you don't make it? Don't send the cards. No matter what, don't get stressed about it. It's just not worth it.

Getting outside for a quiet walk relieves stress, but so does an intense workout. Make time for the gym during the holidays. Even if you can't keep up your usual workout schedule, try to get in as much high-intensity exercise as you can in these weeks.

Money worries are the worst kind of stress, and they can creep into everything else. Before you go full-in on Christmas shopping, make a quick budget and sketch in gift ideas that will let you stick to it. Taking away budget stress will relieve overall stress at least a little.

Escape the holidays in a book. Nothing too serious, unless that's your great pleasure. Beach reads work for holiday season, too.

We've all heard it's better to give than to receive. It's also a stress-reducer! There's some evidence that volunteering and giving to charity may relieve some of the physical symptoms of stress. Either way, giving feels good. And feeling good can counteract feeling stressed—at least for a little while.

If holiday stress is triggering depression, insomnia or keeping you from eating, check in with your therapist. You need a place to put your feelings, and a trusted professional might be the right thing for you. The holidays can also bring up other feelings of sadness or inadequacy, which may not go away after New Year's.