As everyone is rushing around to get everything checked off their to-do list, the world seems to go into hyper super-sonic speed between the middle of November to the beginning of January.</p><p>It doesn&#x92;t seem like there is enough time to get everything done on your list &#x96; whether it is the big end-of-the-year push at your job, or getting your house ready for the holidays and relatives, or whether you are traveling to see family that is elsewhere.</p><p>There is so much to do that sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves and the people who mean the most to us. It is a very stressful and overwhelming time of year for everyone.</p><p>First and foremost, breathe and try to keep a clear head. Finding balance is going to be tough, but you are up for the challenge.</p><p>Make time for yourself, if you are not healthy you will just be adding more stuff to someone else&#x92;s list of things to complete.</p><p>Try not to run yourself ragged; unless you are a doctor then no one is going to die if you don&#x92;t get that one thing done on your list today. So relax. </p><p>Schedule in 10 or 20 minutes of exercise time if you can&#x92;t make it to the gym on your regular schedule. Wake up a little early to get your exercise time done before you head off to work; pushups, lunges, sit ups and yoga can all be done from the comfort of your living room.</p><p>Take snacks with you if you know you are going to be shopping all day; fast food does have healthier options now. But if you are super hungry, chances are you might not make the healthiest decision. Protein bars, water, apples, bananas, carrots and peanut butter sandwiches travel well in any condition and will be able to regulate your blood sugar in between the time you leave your house and return hours later.</p><p>Prioritize what is important in your life. Remember to spend time with your friends, your family and your loved ones. Time these days is a very precious commodity; spending it with the ones you care about will mean more to them than any present you might buy at the store. If you can&#x92;t afford to travel home for the holidays to see your loved ones, phone calls, Internet chatting or even skyping is always a good idea. Remember the days when we didn&#x92;t have all the technology we do now? Being able to see someone who is halfway across the country or even the world through your computer screen is amazing; take advantage of it. Be kind to the people you work with, the people in the line at the store, the people checking you out, the people in parking lots and anyone else you may encounter &#x96; even the police officer giving you&#x92;re the ticket for speeding.</p><p>Their lives are just as stressful as yours right now. Unless you have super powers and can read their minds, you don&#x92;t know why they may be short with you or angry or not as courteous as you would prefer. Two people yelling or making rude comments to each other doesn&#x92;t make anyone happy. If you can step up and be the bigger person by being respectful and courteous to them instead of short, it just might change their attitude and everyone wins. </p><p>Remember what this time of year is all about. Let&#x92;s be thankful for the lives we have and see what we can do to enrich and better the lives of others.</p><p>Janice Jacoby resides in Lee&#x92;s Summit. She has been in the health and wellness field professionally since 2002 and instructing locally since 2006.