How to Survive the Holidays & Handle Work Stress This Season

Thanksgiving is just a week away. That means in addition to your regular work responsibilities (like that annoying weekly financial report) and at-home chores (like tackling the laundry mountain), you've got to pick up the in-laws from the airport, make one paper maché replica of the Santa Maria for your son's report, pick up a 30-pound special order turkey from the butcher shop, and make your Mom's famous green bean casserole.

And that's just the beginning. The holiday season really kicks off on Black Friday, meaning the next six weeks of your life are going to be busy (to put it mildly).

So how are you going to handle it all? How are you going to handle work and family and holiday traditions? It might seem overwhelming now, but with some careful planning and creative scheduling, you'll be able to survive the holidays, handle work stress, and still have time to enjoy a champagne toast on New Year's Eve.

Tip #1: Plan Ahead
This may seem like really obvious advice, but if you don't have a holiday calendar for the next six weeks, make one. Create one in Google (that you can share with family members), or do it by hand. Write down your regular work duties and appointments, as well as any additional holiday events, family parties, or school plays you'll be attending. Putting everything on one calendar will ensure that you don't double-book yourself.

And if you know you're taking on additional responsibilities—like making pine-cone ornaments for your daughter's third grade class or baking Thanksgiving cookies for your office party—schedule in project times on your calendar as well so you don't forget about these commitments until the night before. It will require some up-front work, but will save you many headaches later on.

Tip #2: Ask About Flex Time
If you haven't already, now's the time to ask your boss if you can have some flexibility with your schedule. See if you can work from home a day or two a week, compress your hours (so you work longer days in return for a 3-day weekend), or take some work home over the weekend in return for leaving early. Saving a few hours in commuting time, having an extra day to shop, or getting to leave early for your kid's holiday performances can make a huge difference in your stress level. (They key is to ask your boss now, rather than the day you need to leave early.)

Tip #3: Double Dip
Sssssh … I'll tell you a secret: if you're making cookies for your work holiday karaoke party, no one is going to know if you double the recipe and take the same cookies to your Aunt's holiday gift swap, your hairdresser's New Year's beauty bonanza, and your book club's New Year's Day tea party. Consult your holiday schedule (see tip #1) and see where and how you can consolidate some of your holiday responsibilities.

Tip #4: Ask For Help
If you're a busy, type-A go-getter, you're probably not used to asking for help. You probably prefer to think you can launch a new advertising campaign, chauffer your children to all of their activities, and prepare a holiday meal for 25 all on your own. And maybe you can, but admit it: it stresses you out, doesn't it? Do you really get to enjoy the holidays this way?

This year, instead of burning yourself out, ask for help. If you're swamped at work, ask a co-worker to lend a hand. If your chore list if out of control, divide and conquer with fellow family members. If your holiday menu has become a beast of its own, ask for extra hands in the kitchen. I bet you $10 your friends, family members, and colleagues will be happy to lend a hand, and maybe even get some extra face time with you while they're helping out. After all, isn't that what the holidays are really all about?