Many people are so wrapped up in their job many minor illnesses are ignored or worked through, in the interest of job security or ambition.

Then when a holiday or vacation is finally taken, ALL the suppressed stress symptoms suddenly blossom.

Is it any wonder that December and January are the months when most relationships break down?

There's pressure for everyone to enjoy events and eat extreme amounts of food while consuming excessive levels of alcohol in a short time period. Relationship tensions often explode during holiday periods and many hospitals record a higher level of family-on-family violence.

Take a week to clear your work BEFORE you take time off from your job is probably the BEST tip to avoid these problems.

The information below outlines some other ways to avoid holiday stress.

Top Holiday Stress Busters: Advice From The Experts

(NAPSI) - The holidays don't have to be stressful. Still, they often bring financial worries and family - related anxieties. Best - selling author and mind/body expert Loretta LaRoche offers the following tips to help stressed - out consumers deal with holiday anxiety.

Plan Ahead - The first order of business, advises LaRoche, is to decide when, where and with whom you are going to celebrate the holidays. "Making your holiday plans well ahead of time sets others' expectations and ensures that there are no misunderstandings among family members," says LaRoche. "Put your efforts into celebrating rather than making matters worse. It will lift your spirits rather than drain your energy." In addition to easing last - minute stress, booking travel in advance allows you to lock in preferred travel dates and reduced rates for airfare and lodging.

Consider Accommodations - Family - related tensions may contribute to holiday stress, especially when there is too much family in too little space. You may want to consider staying in a temporary furnished apartment rather than a hotel. Furnished apartments contain "homey" comforts such as separate bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms and fully equipped kitchens. They're often available at comparable or lower prices than individual hotel rooms. Also, many of these apartments offer reduced rates with reduced minimum - stay requirements throughout fall and winter. Oakwood Worldwide has the largest network of fully furnished apartments in the United States. Visit www.oakwood.com to find an Oakwood property near your holiday destination.

Build a Better Budget - Make a list of gifts and the people you're buying for and budget wisely. "You may want to explore the gift of shared experiences. Take a significant other, family member or friend to a movie and dinner, museum or play. It builds on memories, the gift that keeps on giving." Try to anticipate unexpected holiday expenses that have a pesky tendency to "pop up." For example, will your office likely plan a gift exchange? Will your friends go out for a nice holiday meal? Several useful tools for holiday season budgeting and gift shopping can be found at www.betterbudgeting.com.

Take Your Time - To avoid burnout, budget your time wisely. Schedule your holiday shopping excursions around work and other responsibilities and avoid waiting until the last minute, says LaRoche. If needed, take a day off from work to do your shopping. "Include having fun. Holidays are not supposed to be stress rehearsals."

Don't Be Afraid to Say No - "If your social calendar is already crowded with get - togethers, don't feel guilty saying 'no,'" says LaRoche. "The holidays are supposed to be a time of fun and togetherness. If you're too stressed out to relax at a social get - together, then stay home - this will help you re - energize to enjoy the next holiday event."

Take Care Of Yourself - Many people tend to overindulge on food and alcohol during the holidays and often skip their normal exercise routine. "Make a concerted effort to avoid fattening hors d'oeuvres and caloric cocktails at parties," says LaRoche. "You can taste everything, just don't eat the whole thing. You will not be reported by the 'food police.' If you prioritize, your workout routine doesn't have to fall by the wayside."

Enlist Help - "Ask children to help you in the kitchen, or put them on gift - wrapping duty," LaRoche suggests. "Also, if you stay in a fully furnished apartment, you can share hosting responsibilities with family and friends you're visiting. Because these kitchens are stocked with cookware, china and silverware, you can offer to organize a meal at your apartment to take a little pressure off your local host."

Get Real - You don't have to live up to the movie - perfect vision of the holiday season, says LaRoche. "The house does not have to be spotless, and you don't have to prepare the perfect feast," she says. "No one will erect a monument to you because of how perfect you were, but they will remember how much joy you brought them." She suggests buying premade holiday cookies and side dishes to relieve stress. "Expect that there will be ups and downs - just like there are at other times of the year," says LaRoche.

Staying at a temporary furnished apartment while you're away for the holidays could help relieve stress.