Halloween was not over when the Christmas decorations began to crowd the seasonal sections in Target and CVS.  I put on blinders until trick-or-treating ended (and the Strange Snow Storm of 2011 blew through).  But here it is the second week of November with Election Day behind us. So now, I have no excuse to turn my attention to The Holidays – meaning Thanksgiving and the run up to Christmas-New Year.

With that in mind, I joined in the Working Mother twitter party on Holiday Survival.We introduced our new book: The Working Mom Survival Guide which is loaded with tips and advice on how to get through every day but we were also focused on the holidays, as I mentioned before.

My co-host was Debi Silber, The Mojo Coach herself, a life coach who works with women to keep the stress factor low and the healthy side of life high. Debi has four kids like me so I know she understands the working mom demands.

As we talked about getting in front of the extra chores that are on our to-do lists, like shopping and recipes, cleaning houses or planning trips. Debi had some real pearls of wisdom to keep us all grounded and that’s not easy in 140 characters. (Funny spelling, punctuation and all–we get the point!)

In general, Debi suggested:

-Get 7-8 hours of sleep each night, because “If you don't get enough sleep bunch of health issues begin to show.”

-On making sure you don't take on extra at work: "So often we're the "go to" person because we're so capable. That minute you say no is tough but what you've secured is priceless."

When it comes to overindulging in food or drink–like turkey, desserts and pumpkintinis, Debi suggests:

-3 to 1 rule-for every unhealthy food, balance with 3 healthy ones. After, get right back on track

-Another mantra for you- "Nothing tastes as good as the way fit and healthy feels"

• -If you go a little overboard, just start over-no benefits from berating yourself & if you're an emotional eater it'll trigger a binge.

And Working Mother deputy editor @barbaraturvett:  reminded us: “No seconds!! And a walk after the meal. <Walking is great.

Some tweeps  offered their own tips to keep stress low.  They were simple and to the point; and can fit into anyone’s schedule, and some made me laugh!

@MothersandMore:  Me time, plan, plan, try to stick to the plan.

@JenTheTech Me too! Trying to get into the habit of taking five

minutes for myself between work and home, even in the car

@massmom23:  Yoga, running, wine, and friends! Not necessarily in that

order. Wine often comes first

@LaLaDreamz: Plan Plan Plan, ask for help, delegate, sleep, eat healthy! And most of all, HAVE FUN

@duzins:  Focus on what matters. Forget the rest.

Other tweeps said, getting the shopping our of the way early helped a lot:

@JenTheTech: I have picked up a few things on clearance here and there! I love a good sale

@LMChon:  started online, no time to get to stores and no energy to fight thru

@salescheerldr: this year we had the kids register- this way fam & friends can buy with confidence- and we won't forget anything

@mpbeau: Already checked a few things off the list! some

online and some in stores

@Supermom_Diva:  I try to plan ahead so that I can actually enjoy the holiday season   

@Supermom Diva added: delegate, plan, start early, and breathe.

Say it again! “Delegate, plan, start early, and breathe.” This could be my new mantra!

Any more ideas?