Holidays are demanding—parties, house guests, shopping, traveling, extra spending, cooking, and baking. And while they are typically a time of happiness and fellowship, holidays can often be a source of stress and anxiety. Add overindulgence, lack of sleep, and heavy schedules to make coping even more difficult. This can lead to depression, even in people who don't normally struggle with mental illness. Here are a few ideas to help keep the holidays festive all season long:

• Be reasonable with your schedule. Don't overbook yourself. Learn to say no. People will understand if you can't participate in every event. Set priorities and stick to them. If you can't say no to an activity, remove something else from your schedule.
• Organize your time. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting, and other activities. Plan menus and shopping trips to combine tasks and keep errands to a minimum.
• Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect to be enjoyed. Don't set expectations too high—as families change, traditions can change too. Be open to creating new ones.
• Stick to a budget. Decide up front how much money you can afford to spend on the holidays. Don't forget to factor in food, travel, and entertainment, in addition to gifts. Decide who you'll buy for and set limits on how much you can spend.
• Don't abandon healthy habits. Get exercise and sleep. Overindulgence can add guilt as well as a few extra pounds, which leads to depression. Eat a healthy snack before holiday parties to keep hunger at bay.
• Set aside differences with family members and friends during the holidays. These can be dealt with at a later time. Be responsible for your own actions, but keep in mind that you can't control the behavior of others.
• Volunteer. Helping others is a good way to lift your spirits and the spirits of others.
• Be thankful for what you have. Money and gifts aren't what make the holidays special. Plan low-cost fun activities: window-shop, take a drive and look at Christmas lights, stargaze—use your imagination.
• Take breaks. Make time for yourself and do something you like to do.

Most importantly, remember what the holidays are all about. Take time to sit back with family and friends and enjoy the season!