Many things can cause stress and depression during the holidays. Here are a few tips from Dr. Rubina Shakil, a psychiatrist on the medical staff at Centennial Medical Center, that can help you enjoy the holidays:

• Have realistic expectations about the holidays and don’t make comparisons to what you see on television or the way things were years ago.
• Don’t try to do everything yourself. Do the best you can and ask for help or delegate responsibilities to others.
• Learn to say “no.” You don’t have to accept invitations to every event.
• Set a budget and stick to it. Make the holidays about spending time with loved ones, not buying lots of expensive gifts.
• Keep a regular sleep schedule so you won’t get worn out.
• Don’t overindulge in holiday goodies or alcohol. Extra sweets can add to your waistline and too many drinks may disrupt your sleep.
• Don’t forget to keep exercising to help you relax.
• Spend time doing things that you enjoy, such as having lunch with a friend or  listening to music, to help clear your mind and recharge your batteries.
• Try something new this year. Consider volunteering to give you a better perspective on your own life.

It is important to remember that activities can be spread out to minimize stress and maximize enjoyment. The holidays are a season, not just one day. If you start to feel overwhelmed, step back and focus on what you can do, not what you can’t.