With the holiday season now officially in effect, people are stressing to find and buy gifts, make those reservations, and pin down those travel plans. It can be an extremely stressful time of year for many people. Five tips and tricks to make this holiday season less nerve-racking:

1. Acknowledge your feelings and be realistic (Tip from the Huffington Post and the Mayo Clinic)

The holidays can be a very stressful time of year. If you’ve lost someone or are unable to be with your family, be real with yourself. It is okay if your work restrictions or other life situations don’t allow you to visit home or that significant other this year. According to Mayo Clinic’s website, “It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season.”

2.  Stick to a budget (Mayo Clinic)

Of course you have to buy that special gift for that special someone, or in some cases people, but you have to remember you’re not a bank. Sticking to a realistic budget can help make gift shopping much less demanding. So, make a list of what people want and how much you’re willing to spend before you go Black Friday shopping so you won’t be buying everyone everything.

3. Set aside personal time and take breaks (Mayo Clinic, Huffington Post and Psychology Today)

Sure it’s the season of giving, but you can’t give all your time to everyone during the holidays. Especially during the hectic planning and traveling phases, be sure to set aside at least 15 minutes to yourself to collect your thoughts and just relax. If you’re shopping, step outside or take a seat on the nearest bench. If you’re traveling, be sure to sleep on that long drive or flight. If you have people over, just go into your room for a good 15 minutes.

4. Don’t abandon healthy habits (Mayo Clinic)

The holidays are infamous for getting people out of their workout routines. Just because you’re traveling, buying gifts or you have people over doesn’t mean you have to stop working out. Waking up and having a mini-holiday routine will help you to stay in shape and keep that holiday weight off.

5. Set aside differences and have fun (Mayo Clinic, Huffington Post)

Just remember even though it can be stressful, having some genuine fun is what this time of year is all about. Enjoy the time with family and friends, some people may not have the opportunity to see them all year so be sure to enjoy it while it lasts.