1. Start With a Vision—Start your holiday season with a clear vision of how you want each holiday to go. Communicate your vision and values with family or friends and encourage them to contribute to a shared mission for the season.

2. Set Goals and Prioritize—Allow yourself to say “no” to activities/responsibilities that aren’t aligned with your mission and goals.

3. Get Organized/Simplify—Find ways to become more organized during the holidays. Identify ways to simplify. Assign tasks for everyone instead of taking it all on yourself.

4. Self Care —Find time to take care of yourself – physically, mentally and spiritually. Go for a walk, pray, don’t skimp on sleep, read inspiring literature, listen to music, go outdoors, spend some quiet time, meditate, go to religious services.

5. Safety—Think about making a home safety plan, take a CPR/First Aid Course, make sure you have emergency supplies in your vehicle.

6. Stay Financially Fit—We are responsible for our own happiness and health during the holidays. Whether or not we have a good holiday is a function of our decisions not our conditions. Decide to make financial and time commitments that you can keep this holiday season.

7. Eat Well—Establish a healthy eating and drinking strategy during the holiday season and beyond. “Yule feel better when the New Year rolls around and you don’t.”

8. Stay Active—Find opportunities to stay active to help you feel better, more energized, focused and fit for the demands of the season.

9. Get Connected—Teamwork. Work with those you love to create meaningful traditions and routines that can be a part of future holidays. Get in touch with old friends.

10. Explore New Experiences—Set limits. Read, write in a journal, visit a library, study, watch less TV, or attend a holiday celebration different than yours.

11. Give—Commit random acts of kindness, volunteer, visit the elderly, donate money, clothes, toys, food.

12. Have Fun—Play, sing, laugh, enjoy. Experience the joy, excitement and wonder of the holiday season. Remember what the holiday season was like when you were a kid or look at it through your children’s eyes.