The holiday season is filled with anticipation and excitement, but 89 percent of Americans admit to feeling stressed out from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, according to a 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association.

Experts say financial worries, missing loved ones, and fear of family conflict contribute to stress. And for those with cancer, the holidays can be even more difficult to navigate when considering emotional and health challenges.

“The holidays can be a difficult time for anyone with all the expectations we have around them,” says Lynne Thomas, L.C.S.W., a counselor at City of Hope® Cancer Center Duarte. “You want it to be perfect. You want to make everybody happy. So, that can lead to feelings of disappointment. For many people living with cancer, there’s a sense of loss of normalcy that they’re grieving, and they are learning to live with a greater awareness of the certainty of uncertainty in life. It can be a very complex time for sure.”

This article offers insights and tips, including information about:

• Holiday stress and cancer
• Managing the holiday blues
• What are the post-holiday blues?

Read the following article from City of Hope here: 

WeSPARK Cancer Support Center is located in Sherman Oaks and offers  FREE programs, workshops, classes and individual therapies to cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones.  Remember to take a look at our Program Calendar for more information about the services we offer.