Ah, the holidays. A time of cheer....or a time for tears? Holidays are a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to celebrate, but they can also put a tremendous amount of stress on you. Not to mention the amount of pounds they can also pack on. With the climax of the holiday season fast approaching, we've put together our favorite tips to help men reduce stress this season, while maintaining good health:

1. Winter temperatures and dry air work to dehydrate skin and leave it looking and feeling irritated, reddened and cracked. Step up your moisturizing during winter months by following each shave with an application of moisturizer and repeating before you got to sleep if you have very dry skin. (This goes for hands and feet, too!).

2. Try to maintain regular diet and exercise routines, but don't beat yourself up if a hectic schedule prevents this. Instead of throwing away the whole week just because you missed a day, make an effort to fit the time in when you can. Your body will thank you.

3. Holidays are the prime time to pack on pounds, so be mindful of what you are eating: small items, like appetizers, cookies and beverages can all produce unwanted calories. Keep your portions small, and allow yourself one or two of your favorite holiday treats without going overboard.

4. Don't go to a party hungry. By eating a nutritious, balanced meal beforehand, you'll be in control of your appetite and won't fall prey to party snacks and hors d'oeuvres.

5. And don't forget about the drinks. Holiday booze may be flowing freely, but avoid weight pitfalls by keeping alcoholic beverages to a minimum, and consider sticking to sparkling wine drinks and light beers.

6. Have a healthy mindset this season by taking the holidays in stride. It's impossible to plan for everything, but by preparing a budget and scheduling ahead of time, you could be saving yourself a lot of sleepless nights.

7. Don't overextend yourself by trying to do everything! You don't have to attend every single party or event you're invited to. In fact, you should take time every day for some personal activities or relaxation.

8. And finally: take the time to actually sit back and enjoy yourself this holiday season. You might think it's an impossible task, but just think: soon you'll have another whole year before the madness starts up again!

We've given our tips, but what's your solution for this annual problem? How do you cope with holiday stress?

Labels: avoiding holiday weight gain, holiday stress, men's health, men's skincare, reducing stress, staying fit for holidays, winter skincare