If you find yourself sleeping less and worrying more during the holidays, you’re not alone. Feeling overwhelmed is a common feeling during the holidays, which drains the joy away from what makes the holiday season so special. If you’re one of those people who worries about the shopping, cookie exchange, and arriving guests, I encourage you to let go of that burden and focus on what brings true joy during the holidays. Letting go of perfection and focusing on enjoying and expe

The holidays are a special time full of magic, friendship, and family. This time together is great when everyone gets along, but for some, family time brings stress and excessive drama. You may be well versed in your family’s personal drama because you grew up with it and accept your relatives as they are, but when you encounter your spouse’s family drama, you aren’t so understanding or accepting. In-law drama causes a majority of marital conflict during the holiday season. I

Holidays are usually a time for celebrating with family and friends and feeling connected with those closest to you, but that’s not true for anyone. For some the holidays expose raw, hurtful feelings and memories, such as painful childhood, bad relationships, or the loss of a loved one. Feelings of depression can happen anytime of the year, but the expectation and anxiety during the holidays may cause some to experience heightened loneliness. Acknowledging the specific areas

One in three Americans are suffering from what experts have coined “Festive Holiday Burnout.” A recent study surveyed 2,000 Americans, and 68% said they see Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas as high stress times. One third of those surveyed said they burned out before Christmas comes. The survey also revealed that most stress comes from the crowds and shopping. Compound this with excessive baking, shipping, decorating, and hosting, and you have the perfect recipe for irr

Ribbons, wrappings, and bows are beautiful, but once you open the package and see the gift the moment of sheer happiness is short-lived. Psychology research has shown that experiences bring more happiness than possessions. Anticipation of the experience brings joy to the giver as well as the receiver of the gift. Sharing experiences is also better for your mental health. They’re associated with your values, effort, ability to connect, and good old-fashioned social interaction

For many, going home for the holidays is a happy time including laughter, intimate discussions, fond memories and the warmth of being together. Unfortunately, for some this is not their experience. Instead, they recall fights, caustic words yelled carelessly, and rough touches. They dread the holidays, they dread leaving work, and they dread the conversations forced upon them. When the people who are supposed to love you, don’t, or the ones you share your last name with humil

My friend’s daughter had glanced at the news while she was playing and suddenly ran to her mother and asked, “Mommy, what if Santa can’t afford Christmas this year?” She had seen the affects in the aftermath of Harvey and was concerned after her own family had suffered damage due to the storm. Not wanting to lie to your children but also not wanting to scare them, it’s important that parents be honest and explain that times are tough right now. Many families are trying to res

Because being a stepparent around the holidays isn't easy. More than fifty percent of children in the U.S. are raised in single-parent families. This can cause tension and stress during the holidays because kids may join their other biological parent — the one they don't live with — to celebrate. Often, this parent has another family. Blending families is never easy. In fact, the leading cause of divorce among second marriages is due to the child relationships involved. But b

The holidays are supposed to be joyful, bringing couples closer together. In reality, many couples become stressed or depressed during the holidays. Unresolved issues often carry into the new year, which is why January through March have the highest number of divorces. Due to Harvey, this year has been especially trying on relationships, leaving couples feeling stressed and overwhelmed emotionally and financially. However, having an action plan can help calm the stress of the

The worst thing about the holidays is having the “blues” after they’re over. The excitement of Santa, Hanukkah, wonderful meals, and family gatherings all mean one thing: when it is over you’re going to go back to your old boring routine and be in the same place you were prior to the holidays. No matter how bad this gets it doesn’t have to continue. You can begin now and brighten post-holiday blues. It may take some changing on your part, as well as your whole family, but you