Expert tips to cut down on holiday stress

CINCINNATI - All that shopping, celebrating and relatives can be stressful.

Doctors say the holidays are prime time for headaches and migraines.

Why? Well the stress of shopping could be a factor.

Another culprit? Those rich foods and drinks you don't ordinarily indulge in. And that includes alcohol, which many people overdo amid all the holiday cheer.

Smells can also trigger migraines. Holiday candles and wreaths give off unfamiliar odors that can bring on headaches.

Hurried holiday schedules scramble our normal sleep patterns, and this can also cause headaches.

The Mayo Clinic has more tips to avoid Thanksgiving stress:

• Set boundaries, know when to say "No"
• Get enough sleep
• Give everyone in the family "jobs" to do during meal preparation
• Set aside your differences with family members, save them for a more appropriate time
• Make a budget, and stick to it