The holidays can be stressful for many reasons, from choosing gifts for everyone on your list to looming college application deadlines to spending time with family member you may or may not get along with. And if you struggle with body image issues, the holidays can be a uniquely stressful time of year. Between the abundance of sweet treats, decadent meals, and articles about avoiding holiday weight gain, festivities that should be joyful can become a major source of seasonal anxiety.
But before you start tensing up at the thought of sugar cookies and candy canes, take a moment to remember that health is about how you feel, not how you look, and that the holidays are supposed to be about enjoying yourself -- not depriving yourself. By following a few simple health rules, you can keep yourself feeling healthy and body-positive this holiday season. Click through the slideshow below for do's and don'ts on avoiding body stress this year.
Tell us: How do you avoid body stress during the holidays? Share your thoughts in the comments below or tweet @HuffPostTeen!
If you're struggling with an eating disorder, call the National Eating Disorders helpline at 1-800-931-2237.
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