It’s that most wonderful time of the year—except both your work to-do and gift lists are growing exponentially. “If you consider yourself among the many who experience holiday-related stress, you are in good company. In the U.S., 38 percent of the workforce experiences an increase in stress due to the holidays,” writes mental health counselor Stephanie Sarkis in Forbes. She offers some suggestions on how to cope. 

Say No Tactfully 

You may have done a great job organizing your office’s holiday party last year, so you’ve been asked to throw another fabulous shindig this year as well. But you just can’t squeeze it in this time around. It’s fine to prioritize your well-being, writes Sarkis. If you’re being asked to take on too much, suggest an alternative organizer or delegate to a committee. 

“It is sometimes assumed that by saying no you are being rude. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Sometimes it’s all in the way you say something,” Sarkis advises. 

Don’t Go Overboard 

To pay for holiday gifts, some people take on a seasonal job or ramp up their side hustle. But that can lead to burn out, warns Sarkis. Instead, ask yourself if it’s really worth it to put in all those extra hours. Perhaps you could institute a tradition of only exchanging gifts with one extended family member. Don’t feel you have to break the bank on buying presents; remember that rather than the price of a gift, it’s the thought that counts. 

Ask for Help 

“It’s when you realize that you are overwhelmed that you can take the first step toward feeling like yourself again,” writes Sarkis. “Seek counseling to talk with a neutral third-party about your concerns. Sometimes taking a step back and seeing things through someone else’s eyes helps you come up with solutions you might not have seen before.” 

She recommends checking to see if your institution offers an employee assistance program, taking a few days off work, and practicing mindfulness to focus on the staying in the present rather than worrying about stress the holiday season may bring.