Stress Less in the Final Stretch

I was walking through a local drug store today picking up some last minute stocking stuffers and a lady walked by me singing merrily along to Johnny Mathis ... except her lyrics were altered: "It's the stress, stress-iest time of the year." I had to giggle, but unfortunately, the sentiment's true.

Despite all the joy the season is supposed to bring, many of us are more stressed than celebratory right about now. Which, of course, can lead to stress eating. Here are some ideas for coping:

• Play a relaxing CD.
• Simply close yourself off in a room alone for a little while and take a "breather".
• Plan to go shopping extra early or extra late next shopping trip to avoid the crowd.
• Never go more than four hours without eating.
• Always carry a snack in your bag -- preferably something that takes a little while to chew on like trail mix. (Sometimes, when stressed, it's the chewing that relieves tension, not the actual eating.)
• Stay hydrated.
• Try an OTC stress remedy like SAM-e with stress relief.
• Look forward to a special food treat when you get home such as a small serving of quality dark chocolate.