There is a sanity clause.

• Author: Tomazin, Marla
• Position: MIND BODY - Holidays

WITHOUT A DOUBT, the holidays are a crazy time of year--and the most wonderful. From the end of November to the beginning of January, we rush around nonstop, trying to fit in dozens of events, activities, and responsibilities. Even though most of us look forward to this special season all year long, you still can stretch yourself too thin in the midst of all the festivities. It is easy to forget just how demanding the holiday scramble can be until we are exhausted, overwhelmed, or even sick. The good news is, with a little planning and prioritizing, you can enjoy and cherish the things that are most important to you without having to run on fumes to make it through New Year's Eve:

Make a list and check it twice. Realistically, you can focus only on one or two big goals at a time, no matter how adept you are at multitasking. Sit down and decide what is most important to you, and prioritize those things. If spending time with your family is at the top of your list, for example, put them first and consciously make sure that other things remain on the back burner. If eating well and maintaining your health is a primary goal, plan out a strategy so that you will not be blindsided by buffet-table bounty. Most importantly, remember that you cannot do it all. I never will forget the year I specifically set aside time to spend with my mother. She taught me to make the Italian cookies that she and her family always had enjoyed at this time of year. I could not possibly put a price on learning to carry on this tradition, and the memories my mother and I made certainly are better than if we had gone shopping in one more store.

Give yourself the gift of health. When you are this busy and stressed, it is easy to become run down--and, on top of the strain that the holiday bustle can bring, it is cold and flu season, so make sure to take care of your physical needs. Get in some light exercise, even if you only can work in a short walk a few days a week. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water, eat healthy foods, and avoid gorging on treats at every opportunity. Lastly, make a point to get enough sleep if you want to enter the new year on a healthy note. Besides, that means you will not be forced to start all over on Jan. 2 and make a brand new set of "lose weight and live healthier" resolutions.

Go on a date--with yourself. We tend to be more or less surrounded constantly by other people during the holidays; after all, it is a season devoted to being with...