There are ways to Survive the Holidays!

There are ways to survive the holidays, both mentally and financially! Maintain your mental health. It's as important as your physical health, Fong said. Make sure you get seven hours of sleep a night, exercise, eat three square meals a day, avoid junk food and limit yourself to two alcoholic drinks a night if you're a man, one if you're a woman. Combine social activities with exercise. Become part of a running club or hiking club, for instance. Many such clubs and activities don't cost much, if anything. Hand-make gifts or give the gift of your time (inexpensive yet priceless). "Objects or gifts don't necessarily equate to happiness," Gold said. "This is a good time to talk about what people mean to you and then make a gift, make a card. Make coupons to a parent or a sibling or a grandparent: 'I'll spend an hour of time with you playing ball or taking a walk.' " Volunteer. "Volunteering is the longest sustained happy buzz you can give yourself," Bagley said. Get together with a group of friends and shop for people in need rather than each other, Bagley suggested. "It's really a good time for people to evaluate their relationship to money and, if you're in a family situation, to talk about that with your kids," Gold said. And sometimes a little guilt isn't such a bad thing. "It's the reality," Gold said. "People have less money, and it's probably good to feel a little guilty. It prevents you from spending more."