The holidays can be a stressful time for many Americans – trying to juggle work, family duties, normal activities and the onrush of seasonal expectations and plans. Here are some tips to navigating this busy time of year.

Start by identifying what a nice holiday for you looks like. Where does it take place? Who is there? What are you doing? What is happening in the days leading up to it? Once you do this, you can start to take steps to steer toward this outcome as opposed to letting outside circumstances dictate how things will go.

Set limits. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself at endless potlucks, White Elephant gift exchanges, Friendsmas gatherings, family events, and more. It’s good to get out and partake in things you enjoy, but no one can do it all. Pick the important ones and politely decline the others.

Start early. People say this every year, but somehow gift buying comes down to the wire for many. Pro Tip: Put a note in your calendar in Mid-October to review your gift list and start coming up with ideas. Some people even create a spreadsheet of those they wish to give a gift and note the idea next to the person’s name. This method helps in more than one way. It also allows a longer runway to the costs associated with buying gifts (as opposed to buying everything in a compressed time period).

Do your thing! Have you watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer every year since you were a kid? Do you like to go iceskating at Christmas? Are you someone who loves a good stroll through a Christmas tree lot? Set aside time for your favorite things – no matter what.

Take extra care. Late working hours, shopping trips at lunchtime and other activities can add up to poor dietary options, dehydration and fatigue. Being busy is fine, but remember to fill your tank with good food and water … and get plenty of rest.

Ask for help. If feelings of overwhelm are starting to surface, reach out to a friend, family member or other trusted person in your life. Tell them you’re struggling a bit and need a little pep talk. Odds are you’ll find that you’re not alone. At the very least, you’ll have a friendly face and a sympathetic ear to help ease your stress.

Call a timeout. If all else fails and you find yourself in need of a break, take one. Cancel your plans and respectfully tell the host you’re not feeling well – because if you’re overwhelmed and not yourself, it’s the truth. Note, if ever you feel like you need to talk right away, you can dial 988 for help.

From all of us at Office Furniture EZ, we wish you & yours a happy, healthy and meaningful holiday season.