What are your stress relief secrets for the holidays?

The same as usual. I make sure to keep up my usual stress relievers. When we get stressed, like around the holidays, self-care tends to be the first thing to get lost. What I do is make sure that I keep up my usual self-care routine (or a modified version that resembles it) when life speeds up.

I do for ME!. I shop online for cool stuff people won't buy me (weird antiques, lingerie that fits), because I won't brave the stores then. Also, I like to read magazine and big books --hurray, snow days! I try to get some workout in. Also, I schedule a manicure, getting a totally impractical color like goth purple.

Remember the meaning of the holidays. Yes, the holidays can be a very stressful time. For me, right now I have to make sure I don't overspend on Christmas gifts, as I need to continue saving money and paying off bills. But I also want to treat the 25+ plus people (yes, more than 25!) that I buy gifts for very well each holiday. That's when the "holiday spirit" comes in. Whether the gift is $8 or $80, I know it's from the heart and something that person will appreciate. It's nice to think that someone thought of me when I receive a Christmas present, and I imagine my friends and family feel the same way. Just remember who and what it's all for, and it will help take the stress away.

Simplify the holidays. I agree, the holidays care often overwhelming. I've found some great resources and ideas on simplifying the holidays at the Center for a New American Dream (http:www.newdream.org) http://www.newdream.org/holiday/index.php You might also take a look at http://www.simpleliving.net/main/ We live in a consumer-driven culture with media that raises expectations for perfectly cooked and presented meals, spotless homes and smiling faces all around. Try opting out - or at least releasing your self from having to attend/host every event and buy gifts for everyone around. I don't know about you, but as a wife, mom, daughter and sister I've been expected to host most of the family gatherings over the apst years and end up doing too much work and having too little fun. I've tried a few different things- potlucks instead of formal dinners, gifts of consumable (food, fair trade coffee, homemade soup mixes) or useful items like rechargeable flashlights or home or car emergency kits, or nice warm gloves for everybody. (My teens each got a can of fix-a-flat in their stockings last year). Teachers have always appreciated gift certificates for a lunch out instead of a mug or thingy they don't need. When the kids were little we gathered with other families for a cookie exchange and then caroling. This year we're thinking about holding an open house for family and friends instead of a dinner. good luck and happy holidays!

Planning Ahead . I try to get very organized after Halloween and get as much done ahead of time as possible so I'm not running around like a nut in December. I LOVE Flylady (www.flylady.net). She has some great tips to keep your sanity at the holidays!

I have a different kind of stress. As a single person with no children, I can get the blues around the holidays if I don't watch it. Each year it becomes yet another reminder that I have yet to find that true love I've been hoping for all my life. Now, if you believe in such things, I have had so many different psychics (yes, psychics) describe the same man I'll marry over and over again, and one even told me I'd marry late...but that is no consolation when the ball drops on New Year's and I'm surrounded by happy couples kissing. To deal with this, lately I've just been detaching from the whole holiday thing and just seeing it as a regular time period in my life. I'll enjoy some Christmas events here and there, and I am going to visit my family at the end of December, but otherwise I'm not focusing on it. Fortunately, I don't have a lot of gifts to buy so that makes it much easier. Last year I skipped the New Year's parties entirely and went to a yoga community event, which was wonderful. This year I will be with family on New Year's and that will remove the stress of that night too. So I guess I'm mostly "opting out" as my means of coping with it.

Slow down. I was moved by what Stephanie had to say about detaching from the expectations that come with the holiday season (i.e., celebrating with your significant other, etc.). I've definitely been there before, and even now that I'm in a slightly different place in my life, I find that detaching around the holiday season and just seeing it as a customary part of your life is useful on a lot of different levels. Rather than stress, I tend to experience depression and a major case of the "blahs" around the holidays, and sometimes, being around people who are in a celebratory mood can be really difficult. I try to spend time with the people I love around this time, but I also just generally try to be kind to myself--by watching my favorite movies, drinking my favorite teas, reading motivational books, doing yoga, meditating, and taking stock of where I am in life.

I take take Frutaiga. A stress relief health beverage. www.redliquidhealth.com I aslo listen to my favorite music and have my alone time.... thats very important. Happy health to you!

i go for a drive for a few minutes to an hour or so & listen to my favorite music or classical. if i dont have enough gas in the car i just go to my college's art room and stay in there for 2-5 hours listening to 103.5 radio station! Then again, i am an Art major, so it works for me but not for others.

Stay healthy and relax!

Avoid relatives. Plan a vacation before anyone invites you to the holidays. Who says you have to eat Turkey on Thanksgiving and Ham on Easter? Eat whatever food you like in the country you are visiting.

I designate the time as my private time, to be with myself. While I am aware of the bustle outside and all the talk of stress, I do only what I enjoy. No silly, unnecessary presents given or expected. Instead I have been doing cards for decades. As an artist, I enjoy the act as well as writing to people I care about or would like to connect with. I spend some time with the person and each card is a personal message. I never cared for "traditional foods", and have light meals, that make me feel good, instead of bloated and heavy. Working on prints or a special project gives me a feeling of accomplishment. I feel good about myself, independent from the rest of the world. That has been my Holidays' retreat for decades.