*Foot Notes

In this week’s foot notes:

So, Christmas has arrived, and you’re feeling yuled -out. Now what? Holiday stress is pretty common, but you can do something about it. Now is the time to give yourself a gift--a gift of time. Time for contemplation and reflection, time for--even if it sounds terribly corny--getting in touch with yourself.

* Take a walk. Several guided nature walks are scheduled for this holiday weekend. Sooky Goldman Nature Center, 2500 Franklin Canyon Drive, Upper Franklin Canyon, Beverly Hills, is offering a morning, 2 1/2-hour, bird-watching walk at 8 a.m. Saturday, sponsored by the William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom. (310) 858-7272, Ext. 131. Or Malibu Lagoon State Beach will offer a bird-watching walk, sponsored by the Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society, at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Park on Cross Creek Road. Meet at the first bridge inside the park.

* Have someone else work out those tensions by getting a therapeutic massage. The Valley has its share of massage therapists. Prices vary, but figure on about $60 for a one-hour treatment. You can choose Swedish, shiatsu, deep-tissue, acupressure or other methods. The Finland Baths, 13257 Moorpark St., Sherman Oaks, a Valley fixture for 50 years, offers sauna baths and deep-tissue massage. (818) 784-8966. Or you could call the California chapter of the American Massage Therapy Assn. for a referral. (800) 696-2682.

* Try something you’ve never done before: Take a ride in a World War I-era open-cockpit biplane. It will change your perspective. It’s hard to continue obsessing over your problems when you think you don’t have long to live. Bird’s Nest Tours, (818) 753-0070, at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima, offers rides starting at $90.

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Bah, humbug! You’ve had about all the holiday cheer you can manage. Between the lists and the shopping, the tree and the shopping, the shopping and the shopping, you have Christmas up to your eyeballs. If you hear one more carol, your head will explode. Here are some ideas to help you relax with nary an elf or a reindeer in sight.