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6 Steps to Stress-Free Holiday Travel

With a little preparation and foresight-and a hefty dose of patience-you can avoid some of the most stressful holiday-travel traps and even enjoy the trip (8 Photos)

Stacey Colino on Dec 19, 2011 at 1:05PM

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Holiday Travel Hassles, Solved

Don’t let long lines, flight delays, lost luggage, traffic jams, crowds and other travel bummers sap your yuletide cheer. With a little preparation and foresight—and a hefty dose of patience—you can avoid some of the most stressful holiday-travel traps and even enjoy the trip.

The key is to “set realistic expectations, expect delays and frustrations—and plan accordingly,” says Carol Scott, M.D., a stress-relief coach and speaker and author of Optimal Stress: Living in Your Best Stress Zone. “Predictability and control are the main variables that affect your ability to respond to stress.” Here are six tips to take the stress out of holiday travel.

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What's your secret for stress-free holiday travel?