5 Ways to Maintain Your Sanity Over the Holidays

It's easy to get a little overwhelmed at the holidays. You have presents to buy, cookies to bake, a house to clean, and presents to wrap. You might even have house guests constantly underfoot or a crew of anxious children counting down the seconds for Santa's arrival. Tempted to tell everyone that Christmas is canceled this year? Resist the urge go crazy this Christmas season by taking a little extra you-time, and by squeezing relaxation for yourself into your already busy schedule. It might sound ridiculous to try to fit you-time into an already hectic day, but if you don't rejuvenate yourself, how can you possibly have any energy left for everyone else?

Ways to Maintain Your Sanity at Christmas #5

Just Say No

This is not the time of the year to be taking on more than you can do, but it's definitely the time of year where everyone seems to be trying to rope you in to volunteering for this or that event. Are you a terrible person for saying no? Absolutely not, and anyone who doesn't appreciate your need to take time for yourself does not deserve your energy or help. Know your limits and say no to any event that exceeds them.

Ways to Maintain Your Sanity at Christmas #4

Simply Your Life

You are not Martha Stewart, so why even try? There's hardly anyone who can actually keep up with that powerhouse, so you're going to drive yourself crazy if you try to make all handmade decorations, brew your own mulled wine, and whatever else that crazy woman thinks that a regular woman can squeeze into her day. Choose one handmade activity that you really don't want to skip, like decorating the tree, and go ahead and buy the store-bought cookies.

Ways to Maintain Your Sanity at Christmas #3

Disappear

Everyone in your house pulling you one way or the other? Don't scream; go get ice cream. Just disappear. Tell the hubby you'll be back in an hour and get in the car. Drive to the closest beach for an hour of relaxation time. Go get a cup of tea at your local bookstore. Ignore your obligations completely for one-hour by doing something that you enjoy -and- that gets you out of the house away from the rest of the brood. Don't feel guilty either: you deserve a little peace and quiet, and you aren't going to find it at home.

Ways to Maintain Your Sanity at Christmas #2

Get Enough Sleep

It can be tempting to stay up all night getting things done, but if you know the kids are going to wake you up at the crack of dawn, you'll be feeling like robo-Mom all day the next day. Why risk it? Go to bed at a decent hour, knowing full well that you'll get much more done when you are well-rested.

Ways to Maintain Your Sanity at Christmas #1

Blow Off Steam with Friends

Call up your closest girl friends and demand a scheduled pow-wow a few days before the holidays. Go get dinner so that no one has to cook or clean up the mess and take a few hours with your closest friends to blow of steam and gear up for the rest of the work that needs to be done.