This week will be a time of cleaning for me (just as the weekend was)! As we try to do every year, we're going through our belongings and paring down, donating what we don't use anymore, in preparation for the holidays. (This allows others to use what we are no longer using, and clears space for holiday decorations and gifts, and makes our place easier to clean before people come over.)

While cleaning does take time, it need not be a chore. I like to get the whole family involved by working together with my kids, and having a fun 'reward' that we can all enjoy when the work is done. Some people like to see how quickly they can rush through--quicker work means less time spent cleaning!--while others like to take a more leisurely pace, but make cleaning a more fun activity in itself--if it's not torturous work, why rush it? Whichever your approach, keeping a fun attitude, focusing on the positive results you're working toward, and trying to enjoy the moment as you clean, can all bring a less-stressed mood to the work at hand. And when you're done, you'll be left with a clean home--a sanctuary from stress!

Here are some resources you can use for low-stress cleaning in preparation for the holidays:

• How Cleaning Can Relieve Stress

• How Clutter Affects You

• Create A Sanctuary With An Organized Home

• Housekeeping Tips for Less Stress

• READERS, RESPOND: What Are Your Low-Stress Cleaning Strategies?

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If you've been reading my blog for a while, you may already know that I'm a big fan of chocolate. It's my favorite 'shortcut to serenity'; even my kids know that if Mommy is stressed, bringing me a few M&Ms usually means an immediate smile.

So I was really happy to see some promising new 'chocolate news' the other day: more evidence that chocolate cravings are perhaps not so bad after all! In fact, maybe I even crave chocolate when I'm stressed for a good reason--chocolate can help! Well, dark chocolate can help, anyway. If you're a chocolate fan like me, do yourself a favor and read more about the stress benefits of dark chocolate.

What are the 'vices' that become virtually irresistible when you're stressed? How do you think they may actually help you? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Additional Stress Resources From Elizabeth Scott:

• What Is Stress? Stress Relief Basics

• Shortcuts to Happiness

• 5 Minute Stress Relief Strategies

• Pleasures and Stress Relief

• Chocolate Meditation

• Free Stress Reduction Resources

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As you move through the stores and see all of the holiday decorations, no doubt you're used to the idea of 'getting ready for the holidays' by now. And, to many of us, it might seem just a tad ridiculous to prepare over a month ahead of time for holidays that are coming at the end of the year. Or it may seem like markers trying to make as much money as they can. And it might seem like overkill to get all of the preparations for all holidays for the rest of the year taken care of before Thanksgiving has even come and gone.

But there's a reason to prepare now--a reason that can benefit you: you can really reduce stress this way. Perhaps even better: you can save money! (And saving money reduces stress even more, right? Now we're talking!)

The reason you can relieve stress is that schedules get crazy-busy in December, at least for most people. Doing extra shopping, sending out cards, planning and attending parties, even participating in traditions with kids--these are all things that can be quite a bit of fun at other times in the year, but during the holiday season, they far too often feel like chores! (Think about it: during the rest of the year, most people who have a party to attend might announce this is a happy voice with a spring in their step; during the month of December, people usually announce, 'I have to go to three parties this week!' in more of an exhausted whiney moan. That's what the stress of being too busy can do to otherwise fun events.)

If you start working on whittling down your To Do List now, before things get too insanely busy, things might never reach that point. You can enjoy the parties, savor the cooking, drink in the holiday lights and perhaps even sing a few carols like a sane person. And create happy memories that you're not too exhausted to remember.

And, as for saving money, you probably thought I was talking about saving on sales, didn't you? Well, you're right, but I'm also talking about other things. If you start planning now, you can try cheap Christmas gift ideas (or holiday gift ideas) like coordinating with family and friends to spend less money, buy only for the children, exchange thoughtful homemade gifts or meaningful cards, or take other money-saving routes. (This year in particular, most people would be very grateful for being 'let off the hook' on holiday overspending themselves!) You can also save on postage if you're not paying the 'rush shipping' charges, or can perhaps save on shipping altogether if you can hand-deliver gifts to those you might be seeing for Thanksgiving.

To help you get started, I've put together a free holiday stress relief e course--it'll take you through holiday cards (there IS a simpler way!), holiday meals, holiday gift-buying, and more.

Also, I recently talked with radio host Toni Schutta about holiday stress and ways to relieve it. Listen To The Interview Here

What are your best tips for managing, minimizing, or altogether avoiding holiday stress? Leave them in the comments section.

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Because of some positive peer pressure from my friend Tammy, I recently started doing something I had previously thought I was way too busy to do: I've been crocheting! Before a week ago, the last thing I'd crocheted was a pair of scarves I'd made over ten years ago (and they were the only ones I'd ever made--this hasn't been a very active hobby of mine until now!), but now I've completed four scarves and am thinking of moving on to hats. And I'm having a lot of fun with the whole process.

You may have already guessed why I'm sharing this information with you, and if you guessed either of two answers, you'd be right:

1. Crocheting, knitting, and other activities that keep your hands busy and your brain somewhat focused while you create nice things--these are great stress relievers! I've been crocheting while I talk to people, while I watch television, or whenever I have an idle moment (waiting in lines, when I'm on hold, etc.) and it just feels good. That's because crocheting (and these other things) can lead to a near-meditative state, which can be great for stress levels, especially around this time of the year, when stress levels are rising. This also counts as a gratification (and wearing a chenille scarf I crocheted myself can be a pleasure), so there are even more benefits.

2. As you may realize, the holiday season is coming up, and handmade gifts are a thoughtful and inexpensive option. (See more ideas for cheap Christmas gifts and other holiday gift ideas for those on a budget.) My scarves have cost me about $2 to make, but they'll be cherished by my loved ones, and it feels good to be getting some of my holiday planning out of the way. (Sign up for my free holiday preparation e course to get started now, too, and have a less stressed holiday season.)

What new hobbies do you think you don't have time for--but want to try?

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