If you recognize yourself in this picture, it's time to take a deep breath.

The season of stress is upon us and a dangerous time it is.

These are the days when we spend more, eat more, exercise less and generally commit all those life-diminishing sins that we resolved not to commit back in January.

Here are some tips -- quick ones, we promise -- to keep your blood pressure under control:

• Pace yourself. That applies to shopping, eating, drinking, wrapping gifts and sending off Christmas cards.

• Enlist help. Divide up the tasks among family members and friends. If you plan a party, ask guests to bring a dish or drinks.

• Pare down your shopping list. Ask friends and family if you all can agree to give fewer gifts or hold a get-together instead.

• Clean just what you need. Close the bedroom doors, then clean the living room, bathroom and kitchen. That's all you usually need to get by.

• Get enough rest. Nobody likes a grouch during the holidays and you risk catching the office bug if you fail to get adequate sleep.

• Give to those in need. Helping others makes you feel good.

• Baby yourself. At the end of a hard day's shopping, light some candles,, turn on the music and soak in a tub of bath salts.

• Let others pamper you. Get a haircut, manicure, parafin dip. You can pick up gift certificates for those on your list at the same time.