The holidays are supposed to be fun and relaxing, but unfortunately for a lot of people they're also full of stress and frustration. I still get excited about shopping and cooking, and don't necessarily think of myself as being stressed -- but I am busier and have so much more on my mind during these months that there definitely is an element of rushing and strain.

The causes for holiday stress can vary from simple frustrations like mall parking and weight-gain worries to more deep-seated issues like family dynamics. Some thoughts from a collection of doctors, nutritionists, and other experts on having a healthier and less stressful holiday season include budgeting calories early to allow room for splurges, spreading the holiday out instead of focusing only on the "big days," or even taking a real pre-season vacation to rejuvenate yourself for all the upcoming events and family time.

See the full list of 10 tips, complete with slide-show, at Forbes.com.