For many people, Christmas and the holiday season are a happy and joyous time, enriched by reuniting with family and friends. But year’s end can also be very stressful. Old patterns of behavior emerge, our stress levels rise, and our ability to cope can really be tested. People with unsupportive parents or problematic family members face a whole different set of challenges.

No sooner than we have put away the Thanksgiving tableware and decorations, we begin the hunt for Christmas presents and wrapping. The final days of the year bring a few weeks of stress and constant motion for many. For others, the holiday season can bring about feelings of being overwhelmed, depression, and loneliness.