In the thick of the early December holiday season, there are numerous stressors—traffic, long lines, financial issues and looking for a parking spot. Who hasn't felt a knot in the stomach, nervousness, tense muscles and that "all over the place" feeling.

Westchester and Rockland health professionals tell us how to skip holiday stress with a few helpful tips.

"Stress comes from thoughts that are exaggerated so things have to be put in perspective," said Fred Neuman, Director of the Anxiety and Phobia Treatment Center at White Plains Hospital.

Take, for example, finishing one's holiday shopping by Dec. 24.

"First, what are the chances of something bad happening?" Neuman said. "If someone gets sick and can't buy gifts in time and goes to the party without them, what will happen?"

The second thing is to think of the worst-case scenario which, Neuman said, in most cases isn't as bad as the person imagines it will be.

"We physically experience the same physical symptoms, yet [we have them] for different reasons," said Pearl Hacker, LCSW, Director of Ludington Adult Day Services Center, Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester in New Rochelle. "And since we think we can do everything ourselves, we don't ask for help and suddenly we're stressed." 

Make a to-do list and check off tasks as you complete them. It will give you a sense of accomplishment.

C. Rita Padilla—Medical Director of the Mental Health Department of Rockland County—and Judy Burns—Director of Behavioral Health Services at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center in Sleepy Hollow—both agreed the holidays add to the stress of everyday living.

"You don't want this time of year to have a negative effect on you," Burns said.

Get enough sleep to keep you alert during the day. This will also help relax you.

Times of cheer can also bring sadness to those who lost loved ones in the past 12 months and are facing the first Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's etc. without that special person.

"This is true also of people just out of a broken relationship or those who lost a pet," Burns said.

Spend more time with friends and people who lift your spirits.

The weather can also intensify the holiday blues.

"Plus the days are shorter so there's less sunlight," Padilla said. "When it's cold and dark outside, who wants to go shopping?"

"Start your day two hours earlier then you normally would during the heaviest weeks of shopping and hosting," said Brett Cotter, founder and CEO of Stress Is Gone, LLC.

Spending more time than usual with family can also heighten anxiety. Do you feel nervous thinking about seeing Aunt Sophie or Uncle Joe?

"Being with many relatives in one room at the same time is a subconscious stew of stress because of the history we have with one another," Cotter said. "Our body puts up its guard because of past memories of certain relatives overstepping our boundaries making us feel unsafe inside."

Have a plan of action if you anticipate a stressful situation.

If you're at the dinner table and someone starts talking to you, and you don't want to continue the conversation, Cotter suggests telling the person, "Stop. I'll talk with you later," and refocusing on what you were doing.

"I take time to meditate and center my thoughts," said White Plains resident Alan Lemell, admitting his recent divorce tried his nerves.  "If I didn't do this, I'd hit golf balls."

Padilla says that people often put pressure on themselves to say "yes" to everything—from baking to every occasion and hosting relatives for the weekend—but shouldn't.

Build some free unscheduled time into your schedule.

Christina Glenn at the Mental Health Association of Rockland County feels that during stressful times "we can do things to distract us from the stress however [those actions] can actually increase stress."

Nancy Jules said worrying about bills and looking for work, she feels the pressure of buying gifts for Christmas.

"I'm trying not use my credit cards so much," said Jules, who was at The Galleria Mall early Black Friday morning. "It's tempting, especially if I'm short of cash. And sometimes only a chocolate bar will do."

Though the holiday times are an easy time to slip into unhealthy or addictive behavhiors, Glenn said to keeping a positive approach helps to avoid this.

"It's a self-destructive behavior that comes up during stressful times," she said.

Exercise and maintain healthy eating to avoid haphazard eating on the run or skipping meals.

Donna Klees felt more relaxed when she started to walk in the early mornings.

"I look forward to having time to release tensions and to get my body moving because I sit all day," said Klees, who lives in New Rochelle and works in Manhattan

Plan ahead by carrying fruit and cheese or protein, or a sandwich with protein, for when you're rushed or won't have time for a meal during a shopping spree. And if you come home empty-handed, forgive yourself and plan ahead.

"For those who battle compulsive eating, the added stress of holidays and abundance of food can trigger overeating," said Naomi Lippel, Managing Director of Overeaters Anonymous, Inc.

"This often leads to shame, guilt, depression and unwanted pounds," she said.

During holidays, 12-Step groups often have around-the-clock meetings with hotline numbers. From Dec. 1 to Jan. 1, a 15-second public service announcement will run on the CBS Super Screen in Times Square, 42nd St. at 7th and 8th avenues.

"We are a program of attraction and not promotion, and this will let people know how to find us if they feel they need help," Lippel said.

Glenn finds it helpful to attend OA meetings, write and journal each morning, pray and ask for guidance and direction—and she accepts her limitations.

"This is a spiritual program, and the holidays are a spiritual time of year," she said. "We have to remember this is about what we can do for each other."  

Here is a list of local health resources:

Anxiety and Phobia Treatment Center at White Plains Hospital - 914-681-1038

Mental Health Department of Rockland County - 845-364-2160

Behavioral Health Services at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center in Sleepy Hollow - 914-366-3000

Stress Is Gone, LLC. - 646-395-9604

Mental Health Association of Rockland County - 845-267-2172

Rockland County OA Intergroup — click for meetings - 845-639-2620

Westchester United OA Intergroup — click for meetings - 914-633-2988; 914-762-3150

Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc. Intergroup – click for meetings - 212-647-1680; 914-949-1200