Every late-November through December we are encouraged—sometimes even pressured, directly and indirectly—to celebrate the holidays that mark each year’s conclusion. Yet for most people, the holiday season is a mixed bag of experience that can range from the beautiful to the brutal—a combination of light and dark, with varying degrees of stress, joy, sorrow, connection, and loss.

The holiday season revolves around unrelenting themes of gratitude, abundance, and celebration. After all, it’s supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year.” However, for many it’s anything but wonderful, and major holidays—especially those that emphasize family and social connection—can precipitate profound experiences of........

© Psychology Today