The holiday season that runs from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day can be a stressful time of year because of added demands on time, money, and emotions. Recognizing holiday stress triggers and planning ways to manage stress can allow you to enjoy the holidays rather than suffer them. The first step is to recognize stress triggers.

Relationships can be difficult at any time, but emotions can be heightened by the expectations of the "perfect holiday." Misunderstandings and conflicts can be intensified. Missing family members and friends can cause loneliness and sadness.

The extra expense of food, gifts, travel and entertainment can strain finances and peace of mind. Overspending for the holidays can create financial worries for months afterwards.

Shopping, socializing, and entertaining can leave you physically drained. Fatigue can increase stress.

It is much more effective to anticipate and prevent stress than to stop it once it has gained momentum. Recognizing stress triggers can help you take steps to avoid stress. Start by acknowledging your feelings. If you have recently experienced the loss of or can't be with loved ones, accept that it is normal to feel sad and allow yourself to express your sadness. Don't try to force yourself to be happy. If you do feel lonely or left out, volunteer to help others. Church and community events can offer support and companionship. Helping others is a good way to lift your spirits and make new friends. Try to have realistic expectations. Every holiday doesn't have to be perfect. Accept that traditions and rituals often change as families grow and change themselves. Be willing to adapt your experiences to accommodate change, such as sharing pictures or video by e-mail. Accept people as they are and don't expect them to behave like you want them to. Decide how much money you can spend before you go shopping and stick to it. Don't try to buy happiness. Try alternatives to buying gifts like making gifts and having a family "cherry pie" gift exchange. Plan your time. Set aside specific times for shopping, baking, and entertaining. Plan menus and make a shopping list. Ask for and line up help with cooking, cleaning and decorating. Learn when to say "no" to avoid feeling resentful and overwhelmed. If unexpected things come up, adjust your schedule to make up for the lost time. Maintain healthy habits such as adequate rest, exercise and healthy eating. Eat healthy snacks before holiday meals or parties to avoid overeating sweets and rich foods. Drink alcohol only in moderation. Make some time for yourself to take a breather. Fifteen minutes alone to clear your mind, control your breathing and find some inner calm can really help manage stress. Seek professional help if you start feeling overwhelmed, uncontrollably sad or anxious, or unable to sleep. Feelings of desperation can lead to desperate acts, especially during times of increased stress—don't let the holidays push you over the edge. By planning ahead you can increase the enjoyment of the season.

Reference: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress/MH00030.

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