The holidays are a festive and joyous time of year, but they can also be incredibly stressful, especially if you have a long list of to-dos and a packed social calendar. Between the cooking, the gift shopping and the wrapping, the weeks leading up to the New Year can feel overwhelming, instead of a much needed break from work/school. Here are a few simple ways to enjoy the season and keep your anxiety to a minimum.

Be picky about your parties – only RSVP to parties you can and want to attend.

Eat well – you need energy to get through a busy time of year, so prioritize healthy eating and cooking wholesome foods with nourishing ingredients; if you are attending a party, don’t show up with an empty stomach

Plan your menu in advance – if you’re hosting a holiday party this year, plan your menu a few days to weeks out to save you the headache of last-minute grocery shopping. Clean and chop the vegetables a day or two beforehand. Even better, ask your guests to bring a dish

Rest up – snoozing for at least seven and a half hours a night for three straight nights guarantees you’ll get through at least five full sleep cycles, garnering the full benefits of stage 4 sleep (the most nourishing and restful) and bolstering your immunity while you are at it.

Squeeze in some fitness – your workout routine is often the first thing to get lost in the holiday shuffle, but it’s more important than ever to release mental and physical tension

Give back – it is easy to forget that this is the season of giving. Donating or volunteering for a good cause makes you feel better than buying a pair of designer jeans (and studies prove it!)

Prep for family tension – every holiday gathering has a Grinch, but if there’s one thing you don’t have time for, it’s negative energy. Plan ahead for it and stop it in it’s tracks – positive affirmations work miracles

Hunt for deals – make a list and check it twice; look for sales and discounts

Create a relaxing environment – decorate simply and quickly, for soft lighting add candles and add easy ambiance with soft, jazzy sounds

Meditate – with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you want to clear some headspace; practicing meditation can help boost your mood, fight stress, and even curb cravings

Ask for help - recruit your guests to help with some of the small tasks, like bringing out dishes as they become ready, handing out hors d’oeuvres and taking coats of other guests as they arrive

REMEMBER – treasure the holidays; keep anxiety at bay and be present for all the memories of the season.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!