By Tami Rupe, State of Nebraska-Office of the CIO

If you haven’t looked on the calendar yet, the holidays are just around the corner. As if you didn’t already have enough on your plate with family, health and your work schedule, now you have to add decorating, cooking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping presents and dealing with relatives. How do you fit it all in and make it through the holidays with a smile on your face?

Here are a few tips:

• Plan for next year. Holiday items will be marked down dramatically after the new year, so don’t hesitate to purchase gifts a year in advance, or start your craft projects in the summer when you have more free time. This will help start you on a positive path for next year.

• Set realistic goals. Keep your expectations simple, both for yourself and for others in your family. Don’t stress out if those expectations aren’t met exactly as you would have liked.

• Organize your time. Putting everything off until the last minute causes excess stress and can often lead to a lack of sleep. Make a plan and follow it.

• Pace yourself. Only schedule what you can handle and then stop. Save some energy for other activities and enjoying time with friends and family.

• Make a budget and follow it. Spend what you can afford and don’t put purchases on a credit card. That will put stress on you later when you can’t pay the bills. Make gifts of love instead.

• Stick to a healthy routine. The holidays are a time of increased temptations, with snacks, holiday parties and more excuses to get out of your routine. Remember to continue to exercise, drink water and make healthy eating choices.

• Honor your feelings. If you are dealing with other issues in your life such as loss or sadness, take time to do something special and make a positive change.

• Hold on to friendships. This is the perfect time to contact an old friend and meet for lunch or get together with coworkers to exchange gifts and celebrate the holidays. Don’t be afraid to make some new plans!

• Give the gift of time. There are numerous ways to give to the community during this time of year. Donating your time to help others makes you feel wonderful.

• Save time for yourself. Let others share some of the responsibilities so you can recharge your batteries.

Have a happy and safe holiday season!

Taken from WebMD articles.