Enjoy the holiday season your way and stress-free

It's ironic that the season professed to be one of love, peace and harmony is filled with financial hardship, sadness, depression, frustrations, resentment, hostility and endless family conflicts. For many, it seems that the season of "Peace on Earth" is anything but.

The problem, however, is not the season – it is our approach. We can find thousands of ways to get stressed and frustrated. Or we can dive in and enjoy it fully: to promote, share and experience love and peace.

Here are 7 tips to beat stress during the holiday season:

1. The holiday season can be frustrating. Everyone seems to be in a hurry, yet everything slows down because of the crowds. When you go shopping expect delays, long line-ups, and to circle the parking lot for twenty minutes to find a parking spot. Make it enjoyable. Play a new CD, roll down the window and wave to all the people, flirt, smile, help someone out, compliment, be gracious. There are no tragedies here – relax and enjoy the slower speed.

2. Do not try to replicate what you see on TV. It is tinsel with no substance. Thinking that the season "should be" a certain way is a recipe for great disappointment and frustration. You never see Pat Boone pass gas at the dinner table, or an uncle get a little too tipsy, or a hyperactive child run all over the place, or last minute rushing to get the meal together on time, or the hostess' favourite piece of china smashing on the kitchen floor during clean up. TV specials promote an ideal and not a reality. And, that ideal is not for everyone. So, create your own.

3. Many get bent out of shape trying to make sure everything is perfect. Is the house tidy enough? Did you buy the right gift? Will it be of equal or greater value than the gift you receive? What if dinner doesn't turn out just right? We are overly concerned with what others will think of us, our house, our children, our spouse, our presents, our cleanliness, that we forget to enjoy time spent with others.

4. Are you financially strapped? If you ask anyone whether they would want you to go into debt so they can receive a holiday gift, undoubtedly he or she would say "No." Do what you want to do. Do what is good for you to do. Do what makes sense for you to do. Do NOT make your life worse with the unnecessary purchase of gifts that you can't afford.