The holidays are a time filled with great expectations of joy and community along with fears of potential chaos and stress. Visiting family members are one of the highest ranked sources of holiday stress. Other stresses on the list include finding time for yourself and handling diet and food intake over the celebratory period. The key to surviving the possibilities of holiday mayhem is having a great plan.

When you’re hosting guests and racing off to one holiday gathering after another, there’s little time left for you. Follow these recommendations to steal away some “me time” to keep you sane and stress-free during the holidays. The time is there for you … all you have to do is recognize that even five minutes is enough to get you back on track and into the holiday spirit again!

Me Time:
1. Bed:  Before you get out of bed take several deep breaths (count to four with each inhale and exhale). Spend a moment being thankful for your body and say an affirmation, “I am Happy,” “I am Relaxed,” “I am Strong,” to help you get the day started in the right frame of mind.
2. Shower:  While you’re in the shower, spend time focusing on you. Think of the things you are looking forward to that day and simply be present in the moment as the steam and water cleanse you for the day both inside and out. Use aromatherapy to give an added boost—citrus to wake up or lavender to calm down.
3. Car:  If you’re alone in the car, sing, listen to a funny CD or a book or learn new vocabulary words. This is your time to spend thinking of yourself and doing something just for you — even if the store is only five minutes away — that’s 10 minutes for you.
4. Play:  Take five minutes and play a game. This puts you in the present moment and provides a little “mini vacation” for your mind. Playing a casual game can help refresh your tired mind and slow your racing thoughts by channeling your focus on something fun and productive.
5. Bath:  Bedtime is another good time to establish a “me” ritual. Take a soak in a bath with scented candles or bath oil. Meditate or do some yoga stretches before climbing into bed. Listen to a relaxing CD while doing guided imagery.

One additional stress point for many is diet, weight and fitness. Keep in mind that the celebrations and feasts over the holidays are gifts to be enjoyed and shared. So, don’t be afraid to take part in the festivities! I recommend these tips to keep people from setting themselves up for failure during the holidays.

Diet and Food:
1. Plan: Create a failsafe plan. As you receive your invitations for events, immediately enter them into your planner. On the day of the event, make sure your other two meals are lighter, so your major calorie intake will be at your celebration.
2. Exercise: There is no substitute for regular exercise, but do not overdo it in the gym to burn your extra calories, or you could pull a muscle or hurt yourself.  An injury could jeopardize your ability to continue regular exercise.
3. Eat: This is a time of celebration and fun. Eat what you love, just cut down on the portions. Try to focus on fruits and vegetables but never skip over your favorite foods.
4. Drink: Drink lots of water during the holidays. It not only curbs your appetite, it calms your body during times of stress. At the party, drink sparkling water with a lime. This fills the stomach and creates the feeling of being full.
5. Maintain: Make it a goal to maintain your weight; never diet during this season. You may want to give your self some grace and set a weight gain limit of 2-5 pounds for the entire season, promising to work it off in January.

After all is said and done, ‘tis the season to be jolly, so make the best of it and enjoy the time you have with friends, family and food. If you can de-stress this holiday season, people will notice and your festivities can be that much more fun.

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