Can you feel it in the air? It's starting already – the holiday craziness that accompanies every retail experience for the remainder of the year. And like it or not, it's here to stay for the next six weeks.

Whether you avoid stores until the last minute, or embrace the craziness and head out to the malls at 5am on Black Friday, chances are you're going to have to face it eventually.

When you do, here are four ways to keep your cool as you head out to the stores this holiday season:

1. Use iPod Therapy – Whether it's a smooth jazz mix to keep you in the groove or some hard rockin' tracks to get your blood pumping, make a playlist of your favorite songs. Then head out to the stores with your iPod and listen while you shop. It'll keep you in a happier mood and allow you to tune out some of the craziness.

2. The Duck Mindset - Assume there will be lines. Assume there will be people bumping in to you. And make the decision before you set foot in the store that you are not going to let any of it bother you. Just like water rolls off a duck's back, you have to let these holiday shopping aggravations roll off yours. Don't give them the power to ruin your day.

3. Good Humor – Bring your sense of humor with you and don't be afraid to use it. Exchanging funny stories or comments with other customers in line or just chuckling to yourself about the absurdity of someone else's behavior will keep you in a lighter mood and help others feel better too.

4. Sincere Appreciation – Consider the view from the other side of the counter. Cashiers are on their feet all day, dealing with a lot of unappreciative customers and stressed out managers. It can be a very thankless job at times. Take time to notice and thank people who are doing a great job dealing with the craziness. A well-placed, sincere compliment or a friendly joke during checkout goes a long way.

Keeping yourself in a positive frame of mind while you shop can benefit you AND the people around you. When you're in a good mood, you won't be inclined to react to other people's irritating behaviors, and you'll  have a more productive trip. When you're annoyed and stressed out, you're more likely to make impulse purchases just to be able to cross something off your list and get the heck out of there!

So take the time to do a little preparation before you head out. It'll do wonders for your mall-time productivity and your mindset.  

Best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving and if you're one of the brave ones, a stress-free and productive Black Friday!

Got a great tip for dealing with the crowds at the mall? Share them below.