The holidays are a time of joy and cheer, but they can also be stressful. The stressors that you feel during the holidays include: family obligations, finances, work deadlines, travel arrangements, and more. 

But nobody wants to feel stressed at this time of year – so try a few of these tips to help you keep it at bay.

• Set a budget and stick to it: Money is often a huge stressor, and it’s easy for holiday spending to get out of control, especially when you are buying gifts for multiple people! If you set an amount that is reasonable and then do not go over your limit, this can help ease your stress levels. Additionally, consider not using your credit cards to avoid spending more than you can afford.
• Make sure you have enough time off from work so that you can enjoy yourself without feeling rushed or stressed: The holidays will be stressful if you’re worried about missing deadlines or work projects while trying to relax with family. Plan for some time off during the holidays and get as many things accomplished at work as possible before your vacation – so you can maximize your enjoyment during the time off. Also, be sure to clearly communicate with co-workers and clients that you will be off during this time.
• Learn how not to take everything so personally: While spending time with family members during this season, it’s easy for arguments or hurt feelings to surface because people are under a lot of stress from their busy lives. Try as best as possible to let go of grudges and just enjoy yourself. The holidays should be a special time where you spend quality time with loved ones; don’t ruin that by holding onto something someone said months ago, which now seems trivial in comparison.
• Don’t over-commit yourself or try too hard to make everyone happy at once: It is impossible (and unnecessary) to please every single person you know and love during the holidays. If someone is upset that you can’t make it to a party or another event, don’t feel guilty about saying no. This will only add unnecessary stress for yourself – and it’s essential to take care of your own needs, as well as those around you (i.e., family, friends).
• Take time to relax and unplug from technology: Turn off your phone, laptop, tablet, etc., so that you can truly enjoy the moment at hand! If you are constantly checking social media or for new emails, it is impossible to really appreciate those holiday traditions (i.e., decorating a Christmas tree) you may be taking part in with friends and family members. 
• Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by everything going on: Holiday stressors include visiting multiple homes during the holidays while also having numerous obligations such as work parties and other events – and this can leave you feeling stressed and exhausted. Check your calendar, and be sure to limit yourself to activities that are truly important to you.
• Try not to let holiday stress consume all of your thoughts: If all you can think about is how stressed you are – this will only make everything worse! Instead, try taking some time each day – even if just five minutes – where you focus on relaxing by breathing slowly and deeply. You might also try using something like “Calm” or similar meditation apps on your phone to relieve stress.

When you start to feel a little stressed, remember these tips. Hopefully, you will find yourself feeling calmer and more in control during the holidays – so that everyone can truly enjoy this special time of year!