Hope has been on my mind.  Particularly, as the year is coming to a close.  For some the end of the year may be a time of joy and anticipation, while for others it is heavy.  It is painful.  Hope is what allows you to take the next step.  Hope is what helps you tolerate a difficult present, and also propels you forward even when living with an uncertain future.  Hope allows for grief and gratitude.

The Holidays hold a variety of meaning, memories, experiences and emotions for each of us.  You may experience excitement and are able to soak in the magical moments.  Or perhaps, you may feel a sense of dread.  Loneliness, grief, mental health conditions and overwhelm may be magnified. The following five tips are suggestions to help manage the stress that so often accompanies the holiday season. 

It is likely that you have heard before that a practice of gratitude can increase your level of happiness.  Or perhaps you may KNOW you Should be more grateful, yet at times is may be difficult to FEEL grateful.  It can be a struggle to cultivate and practice gratitude when life is hard.  When you are struggling.  When you are carrying a heavy load. When you feel burdened down with depression or spinning with anxiety.  I would like to offer a bit of the science behind the practice of gratitude and offer a simple way to build a lifestyle filled with gratitude.