The holiday season is a joyous time of year, but it can also be a very stressful one.

Between traveling, buying gifts, attending school and work events, and hosting parties, there isn’t much time left for rest and relaxation.

If you’re burning the candle at both ends this December, it’s time to implement some strategies to make sure that you have a stress-free and happy holiday!

These 6 tips will help you have a less stressful holiday season so you can focus on what matters most—your family and friends.

Plan your travel and stress-free holiday activities in advance

Sometimes the best way to relieve holiday stress is to prevent it in the first place.

One way to do this is by planning your holiday activities and travel itineraries in advance. This way, you’ll have a better idea of what you should expect and when.

Planning in advance can also help you save money, especially if you book your flights early or stay at a hotel during the season.

If you’re going on a trip, make sure you have everything you need. This includes airport-friendly gifts and treats for the kids, your ID, passports, and other travel documents. Plan your daily itinerary and consider keeping a travel journal so you can look back and remember your adventures once you’re back home.

Declutter before you start shopping

There’s no denying that the holiday season is a time of great shopping. Whether you’re buying gifts for your loved ones, stocking up on holiday decorations, or buying a New Year’s Eve outfit for yourself, it’s important to declutter before you even start shopping.

By doing this, you’ll be able to focus on the items that you truly need, which can help you avoid buying things you don’t need.

Organize your closets and drawers with drawer dividers, clothing organizers, and hangers. Keeping your house clean and organized throughout the season means less stress and more time for you to enjoy the festivities with your loved ones.

Don’t try to do everything at once

Sometimes the best way to reduce your holiday stress is to not do everything all at once.

If you try to do too much, you might end up stressing yourself out and actually making things worse. Instead, try to break things down and do one thing at a time.

This way, you’ll avoid feeling overwhelmed and you’ll be able to enjoy the holidays even more. If you’re hosting a holiday party, decorating your home, shopping for gifts, and attending social events all at once, you’re probably going to feel a lot of stress.

Try to break up your tasks and do one at a time. For example, you can decorate your home early in December and shop for gifts closer to Christmas. Or you can do all your shopping online so you don’t have to worry about crowds.

Set small, achievable goals for the week

Another way to reduce your holiday stress is to set small, achievable goals for each week. This will help you stay organized and prioritize your tasks so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

Maybe you’ll need to spend time planning and preparing for your holiday parties and social events. Or you might decide to go through your closet and donate any items you don’t need.

You might choose to go to the mall early in the season to purchase gifts for your loved ones. Or you can work on your holiday decorations early so you don’t have to rush around and feel stressed out during the season.

Whatever you do, try to focus on one task at a time when it comes to things that you need to get done this holiday season.

Get enough sleep and exercise regularly

One of the best ways to reduce your holiday stress is to get enough sleep and exercise regularly.

Sleep is extremely important during the holiday season since you have so much going on. From shopping and hosting parties to traveling and attending social events, you’ll have a lot on your plate during this time of year.

Make sure you get at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night so you can stay energized and have enough energy to tackle your tasks. You can also try setting a regular bedtime so you know when you have to go to bed.

Exercise regularly when the holidays roll around. This can help you de-stress and feel less overwhelmed. You can exercise at home or go to a gym—wherever you feel most comfortable.

You can even try yoga or meditation if you think those activities might help you de-stress even more.

Celebrate the joy (and ignore the stress)

During the holiday season, you’re probably going to feel some stress. That’s normal—it’s a high-stress time of year.

But try to ignore the stress as much as you can and focus on the joy of the season.

Spend time with your loved ones and enjoy all the wonderful activities the holiday season has to offer. From visiting Santa at the mall to attending holiday parties, there are lots of ways to enjoy the season.

Celebrate everything about the season. When you focus on the joy of the holidays and ignore the stress, you’ll have a much better time and create happier holiday memories.

All blog content shared through HealthSmart! Kids is for informational purposes only and not to be construed as medical advice. Always talk with your qualified health care provider for managing your health care needs.