“Stress is the trash of modern life - we all generate it but if you don’t dispose of it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life.”

- Danzae Pace

The holidays really are the best of times and the worst of times. Our tidings of comfort and joy can so quickly be devoured by the insatiable stress of doing it all and being it all.

A holiday should be filled with cool drinks, friendly people and warm sun, not short tempers, long lines and general frustration (things you could get at home for free).

Below is a list of the top ten holiday hassles and how to avoid them. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would.

1. Home safety.

To help prevent a break-in, ask your neighbours to take care of your dustbin on collection day. Some people put their bins out when they leave and they are out for days before the truck comes. That’s a flag that there’s no one home. Also, ask a neighbour to remove mail from your post box, another lure for burglars.

2. Holiday illness.

Californian doctors found that sudden relaxation after long periods of stress can result in the depletion of white blood cells, which weakens your immune system. Give yourself a day of rest in between work and travel to help ease the transition. And do crossword puzzles on the plane. Mental stimulation will boost your immune system.

3. Luggage overload.

Before you go on a trip, lay out your clothes and then make sure you subtract one of each item. You can always bulk up your wardrobe when you get there.

4. Queues.

If you want to board that plane, eat at that restaurant or zip down that water slide, waiting in line is inevitable. Remember that, in the grand scheme of things, standing still isn’t horrible. It gives you the opportunity to relax.

5. Work.

Sure, you can take it with you. Don’t feel as if you can’t bring some work with you — just be sure to schedule it. Otherwise, you’re going to be stressed out about what you’ll have to do when you get back.

6. Bad weather.

Go prepared with a list of things you want to do indoors — get a massage, read a book, have sex. Don’t stress over the fact that your expectations are not met. Relaxation starts in the preparation phase.

7. Family.

Don’t feel obliged to spend the whole holiday with your family. There should be shared time, but there should be individual time too. Split up once a day, whether for a half-hour walk on the beach or for afternoon golf.

8. Relaxing.

A week’s worth of lying on a hammock can be hell. People fantasise about vegging out, when in fact they’d last 20 minutes before taking hostages. If you run five miles a day at home, you need to run five miles a day in Bora Bora, too.

9. Weight gain.

Pack a jump rope along with your sunblock. A jump rope doesn’t take up any room in your suitcase and can be used indoors if it’s too hot. Bonus: It’s quick, ten or fifteen minutes with a jump rope will wipe you out.

10. Exhaustion.

This is a common complication of trying to destress by doing the tourist thing of seeing, visiting, tasting and riding everything. You should also focus on simply recovering from your workday life. Pick two or three things you want to do each day, then pad the space in between with doing nothing.

Remember, one key to minimizing holiday stress is knowing that the holidays can trigger that stress. Accept that things aren’t always going to go as planned. Then take active steps to manage stress during the holidays — you may actually enjoy your holidays more than you thought you could.

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