The Mayo Clinic has tips for dealing with holiday stress: Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all of your expectations. Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress a
