Thanksgiving is over, but the holiday season is now in full gear. The holidays are supposed to be a wonderful and joyous time but for so many of us they are a time of stress.

This vicious cycle happens for two reasons- First, the holidays are a time when our schedules and routines change dramatically. Second- our expectations of what the holidays should be very often set us up for failure.

How do we deal with this? Here are some simple tips for keeping stress in check:

1. Be realistic about the holidays. The holidays don’t’ have to be perfect to be joyous. Remind yourself that there will be good times and bad times.

2. It’s o.k. to experience negative feeling during the holidays. Feeling nervous, stressed, sad, angry or other negative emotions is normal. Feeling bad doesn’t mean the holidays are ruined.

3. Holiday excess can ruin the holiday spirit. We are all human and excess can take’s toll .So too much shopping, too many parties, too many added holiday responsibilities will only make you more nervous, anxious and stressed which impacts others around you. You simply can not do it all. Moderation will keep you from becoming a scrooge.

4. Take care of yourself during the holidays. Listen to your body. You need to eat right, sleep, and exercise. You must make time for yourself. . Being sick and stressed will not make the season brighter.

5. Prioritize your activities. - face it, you can’t do it all. Most people can’t attend every party, buy every gift, visit every relative, and send out cards to a thousand people. Try this exercise out. Write down on a piece of paper everything you think you need to do for the holidays. Include all the parties, all the travel, all the gift buying all the cards, all the cooking. Then read the list out loud. Now ask yourself: “if this were any other time of the year, would this list of tasks seem reasonable?” Answer honestly. If you answer is no- then look at that list again and start crossing things off.

We all want the holidays to be a joyous time. By having realistic expectations and not overextending, you will keep your stress levels in check. Remember, a stressed out you is not a joyous you. So take some time to focus on yourself this holiday season. Doing so will make the holidays more joyous for you as well as the people around you.