Gratefulness is antidote for holiday blues

Counting your blessings is one way to ward off the holiday blues, a University of California, Davis psychologist says.

People often have unhappy holidays because they have unrealistic expectations for perfection among their loved ones, Robert Emmons said. The holiday season also is a time when people reflect on the gap between their current situation and where in life they wish they were.

"Gratitude, by contrast, is a deepened appreciation of circumstances in your life right now vs. where you want to be," said Emmons. "Feeling gratitude reduces unpleasant feelings like envy, resentment and regret that rob people of happiness."

To read a UC, Davis news release click here.

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