15 ways to manage stress during especially stressful times

Let's face it: The holidays can be the most wonderful time of year, but also the most stressful.

Whether it's a family member or a pesky in-law who always manages to make a situation uncomfortable, from now through December, there's almost no way to escape at least one stress-filled scenario.

To help you cope, here are 13 science-backed tips to keep your stress level down this holiday season.

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Make a game plan.

Staying organized will keep you from doing all of your holiday-related shopping at the last minute and give you more time to spend with your loved ones instead of scrambling for everything at the last minute.

Not only will having a to-do list reduce stress, it will help you stay more focused, according to Cal Newport, a computer-science professor and author of the book "Deep Work," which comes out in January.

Without such a list, said Newport, incomplete work can eat away at your concentration. This stems from something called the Zeigarnik Effect, which is the tendency to remember incomplete tasks.

Take deep breaths.

Sometimes, the holidays can be so jam-packed it's hard to remember to even breathe. But taking a second to step away from the kitchen or the crowd and breathe in deep may help your body handle stress a little better. The idea is to get your breath slower to activate the body's relaxation mode, with a lower blood pressure and an overall better feeling.

Scale it down.

While there is a lot of pressure to get the holidays just right, setting realistic expectations can help manage stress. A number of studies have pointed to lofty expectations as a reason for higher stress levels. Instead of stretching yourself too thin by taking on too many fancy holiday dishes, stick with manageable tasks and spend the rest of the time enjoying the company of friends and family.