Plan ahead: You know how it goes with procrastination – Christmas Eve spent scrambling through stores and madly wrapping gifts. Plan your shopping list a month ahead and schedule time to shop early. Prepare any meals or holiday treats a few weeks before the holidays.

1. Make time to relax: Take time for activities you enjoy and find relaxing. For example, enjoy reading in front of a fire, or go skating with a friend or the family. Don't compromise a relaxing winter evening for another night in the shopping mall. Stay home with the family having a hot chocolate creation day, holiday movies and popcorn night, or family and friend potluck.

2. Put expectations in check: If you're hoping for perfection (from yourself or your holiday experience), you might be setting yourself up for disappointment. Be realistic in your holiday preparations and the holiday experience itself.

3. Look for help: Try not to take it all on yourself. Connect with your spouse, family, and friends and share the responsibilities for holiday shopping, preparing, and cooking. Perhaps a cookie exchange or a potluck style traditional dinner where you are only responsible for the turkey and the guests all bring another part of the feast.

4. Set limits: Commit yourself to a budget to alleviate post-holiday financial stress. Stick to a certain number of gifts purchased and/or money to be spent. Say “no” to extra holiday work and be honest with yourself about the amount of energy and time you can devote to holiday events and guests. If your social calendar is over-booked, say “no” to an extra pre-Christmas party.

5. Eat, drink... but be healthy: Holidays are usually full of all your favorite things – including sweets, treats, and cocktails. Practice moderation while enjoying parties and holiday meals. This is the time of year, we need to get sufficient rest, healthy foods and hydration to ward off colds and flus.

6. Let things go: If family and relative interactions this time of year tend to turn into blow-ups and unmet expectations, the holidays are NOT the time to resolve old issues. We’ve had 11 months to confront these challenges with others in a more controlled, respectful and healthy way. Write your grievances down to address in the early new year to allow time to work through or resolve some of these ongoing issues.

7. Don't forget the fun! Remember the reason for all your holiday planning… a season for celebration and time spent enjoying your family and friends. Take the time to remember what this holiday season means to you, and enjoy it! This is where mindfulness comes in…be present and take in all the wonder of the season with all of your senses.

Gift Ideas to Calm the Nervous System:

Weighted Blankets – Great for easing anxiety, sensory challenges, providing a feeling of safety, and self-soothing.

Journal Books – With guided prompts or blank – getting your thoughts out of your head and onto paper is a good way to dump over thinking and anxiety.

Aroma Therapy Diffusers – There are many scents to choose from based on the effect you are looking for such as energize, relax, etc.

Coloring Books and Pencil Crayons – To reconnect with your inner child, take the focus off your anxiety, or just a quiet activity to destress.

Puzzles – I’m referring to good old fashioned lay it on the dining room table puzzles. Great to do alone or with others.

Sound Machines – Whether it’s the sound of waves crashing, a thunder storm, or sound of a rainforest, the soothing noise calms your nervous system.

Sunshine Lamps – The SAD (seasonal affective disorder) season is upon us and even if you don’t think you suffer from SAD these lights are sure to perk you up.

Chill-Out & Meditation Playlists – Meditation apps to get your Zen on, and practice mindfulness and being present.

Massage Gift Certificates – If you don’t care for a body massage, you could try reflexology or reiki.

Warm Socks or Slippers, Wraps and Blankets – Warming up in something cozy brings comfort and allows us to relax our tense muscles.

Gratitude Jar and Fancy Paper – Throughout the year write something you are grateful for. At the end of each day and then on New Year’s Day you can read them all and count your blessings!

Bubble Bath, Bath Bombs and Candles – Nothing better than a hot scented bath to soak your stresses away.

Fuzzy Hat, Gloves and Scarf – To crunch along the crisp snow and get some fresh air and sunshine.

Herbal Teas – Something aromatic and soothing or spicy and invigorating depending on the mood you want to create.

Wishing all of you a wonderful & stress-free holiday season.