Five ways to stay upbeat and energized during the holidays

As Christmas carols hit the airwaves and the snow begins to fall, the joy of the holidays brings out the best in everyone - right? With a seemingly endless to-do list of shopping, cooking, entertaining and decorating, the holiday season can quickly become a recipe for anxiety.



The true meaning of the holiday season can be overshadowed by the demands of preparations, but it shouldn't be. By planning ahead, taking care of yourself and making sure to spend quality time connecting with loved ones, you can stay upbeat and energized during the holidays.



Try these tips to make sure your mood is as bright as the lights on the Christmas tree.



Plan ahead: Instead of subjecting yourself to the last-minute trips to the mall, get shopping done earlier, and do what you can online. If you need to hit the mall, get there when it opens and develop a list beforehand so you can quickly check off what you need. Establish a schedule for the month of December and plan several days in advance for holiday meals and parties. Also, create a budget early in the season, and stick to it. Studies show that finances are often a major trigger of stress during the holidays.



Make meaningful connections the entire season long. Making time to connect with close family and friends - whether through a phone call, e-mail or Skype - will help you remember the true meaning of the holiday season. You can also let your loved ones know you're thinking of them throughout the season by surprising them with the jacquielawson.com Advent Calendar. The animated e-calendar includes 25 holiday animations that transport recipients to a magical version of London. It's a meaningful and unique gift for friends and family, near and far - you'll love sharing stories with loved ones from that day's holiday animation.



"We heard stories of extended families living thousands of miles apart yet sharing the daily ritual of watching the day's animation and then talking with or emailing each other about it," says jacquielawson.com co-founder Mike Hughes-Chamberlain, speaking about the company's first-ever Advent Calendar last year. "Many customers asked us to keep making new calendars each year so it could become a new family tradition."



Take time for yourself. Escape the hustle and bustle of the mall by going to a movie with a friend, or curling up by the fire with a bestseller. Taking a moment to breathe and focus on something unrelated to the holidays will give you a chance to regroup and more effectively tackle the next cookie recipe or holiday party on your schedule. Try spending a few quiet moments of alone time each morning to recharge for the day ahead. And, if you feel like splurging, enjoy a few hours at the spa while you're picking up gift certificates for others on your list.



Avoid over-committing. With holiday parties to attend and host, cookies to bake and deliver, and tackling an ever-increasing Christmas card list, the holidays can easily swirl out of control. Decline the office cookie exchange this year, and cut down your gift list. You'll be better able to savor the most important things of the holiday season when you're not frantically running from one commitment to another.



Exercise and eat right. In a season where schedules get busier as the holidays get closer, make one thing a standard in your daily routine. A trip to the gym or an exercise class helps you relax and unwind. If you can't make it to the gym, incorporate more walking into your daily routine. Park a little farther from the store entrance, or take a walk to see the neighborhood Christmas displays. Try to focus on your nutrition and avoid overeating, a major cause of holiday and post-holiday anxiety. Make sure to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet, and avoid that extra cookie when you can. Usually, one is enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.