This holiday season, avoid the dreaded weight gain and stay healthy and fit with some tips from LIVESTRONG.COM.

• Become a healthy grazer. Severely restricting calories or skipping meals can dampen your mood, increase your appetite and ultimately lead to weight gain. Eating smaller, balanced meals and snacks at regular intervals throughout the day can enhance your blood sugar and energy level while preventing excessive hunger. To ensure you are consuming the proper amount of calories, track your food intake.

• Manage your stress. If your food cravings increase along with your stress load, seek alternate means of comfort and relief. This may mean going for a walk, practicing yoga, having coffee with a friend, getting massages or taking a warm bubble bath.

• Stay active. You can make fitness fun by finding activities that engage your body, mind and soul. Incorporate a variety into your daily lifestyle for maximum benefits. Walk your dog. Build a snowman. Find a new hiking trail in your neighborhood.

• Get your sleep. Sleeping too little is directly correlated to how much you eat and exercise, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep nightly. Your bedroom should be dark and comfortable, and your caffeine intake should not carry on into the evening.

• Create a survival kit. Carry a bottle of water and healthy snacks such as nuts or high-protein, low-carb bars. You’ll be prepared with healthful alternatives when hunger strikes, and you’ll also be creating a habit of mindfulness that can last all through the year.