by: Stephanie Modkins, Yahoo Contributor

Is your holiday season filled with joy or sorrow?   Or, are you so stressed right now that you can’t even enjoy the beauty of Christmas?  Do you secretly dread this time of year because of the sadness it brings you? If you answered 'yes' to any of those questions, you could be suffering from a depression that affects thousands of Americans during this festive period.

Feeling sad during the time period encompassing Thanksgiving to Christmas is common for many people. Why? It can mark a period of heightened stress due to money issues, lost love ones and unrealistic expectations. For this reason, it's important to have a game plan prior to October 31st to determine how you will process the next couple of months.

Click below for five ways to manage your emotions during the holiday season. If you follow them, you can enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas more. And, you may even be able to do it with a smile.

http://voices.yahoo.com/5-ways-avoid-holiday-blues-125076.html