The holidays are not just about gifts, exciting events, and Santa Claus. For many people, the holiday season is a trying and stressful time. Perhaps you have fallen on hard times, are trying to cope with the loss of a loved one, feeling alone and isolated this holiday, or feeling overwhelmed from all the activity and family gatherings. It so often seems like the people around us don't want to be "brought down” by our grief, sadness, or anxiety and we find ourselves feeling pretty alienated during the holiday season - no matter how hard we try to join in. If you find yourself struggling through the holidays, it is okay and perfectly normal. We have times in our lives when we don't feel so joyous and optimistic. These times are truly a natural process for growth. To grow and learn during this time, though, you need to pay attention to how you are feeling, give yourself permission to feel the things you do, and reach out to the people, things, and activities that bring you joy and happiness.

Allow yourself the time to heal and at the same time step back from those feelings so that you can bring them into perspective, fully accept and understand them, and gain the power to take control on how these times impact you. Fo

cus on one day at a time - one hour at a time - one task at a time if you need to. Start a journal, get involved in a support group, make time for a hobby that you enjoy, increase your social network, and get some exercise. You don't need to overwhelm yourself by doing all of these at once. Find the things that feel right to you and take them one at a time. Your sadness, stress, and anxiety will reduce each day if you pay attention to yourself and work on the healing process. There are wonderful and beautiful things about you and about your life. You have the power to make each day a little better and a little more joyous.

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