It seems like there's no such thing as a perfectly balanced life during the holidays. Even the best schedule is thrown out of whack at this time of year.

How can you avoid sabotaging your health during the holidays? There are several ways to make sure your body is ready to handle the extra demands of the holiday season.

Here are a few wellness-inspired ideas that promote balance throughout the festive season:

Get moving
Staying active helps you to combat stress, increases energy, improves your attitude, helps you to manage your weight and makes it easier to return to your regular responsibilities once the festivities end.

Set an activity minimum goal and stick to it. Be creative with exercise during this time of year, (i.e., walk around the mall a few times while deciding on that gift, take the stairs instead of the escalator.)

Eat well
Worry less about the goodies that you may indulge in and try to fill up with high-energy fuel. That means eating fruits, vegetables, protein, getting plenty of fibre and drinking lots of water.

Stretch and relax
Opt for a few simple stretches and perform them each morning and evening. As you stretch, remind yourself to keep a flexible attitude throughout the holidays. Laugh as often as you can, no matter what catastrophe may threaten your well-laid plans.

Write a wish list
What do you want to accomplish this holiday season? Maybe it's skiing, going on family walks in the neighbourhood as you enjoy the decorations, getting enough sleep or staying within a budget.

Many of us don't stop to consider what would make our holiday experience fulfilling. When you don't pause to think about how you want to spend your time during the holidays, it's easy to feel out of control -- and that feeling is a key contributor to stress.