The holiday season is fully upon us. We have decked the halls, jingled the bells and Christmas is just around the corner. The Christmas spirit makes this the happiest time of the year, and that is almost always infectious. Unfortunately, every once in a while we all get into a Grinchy mood. Sometimes we just want all those Whos down in Whoville to stop making all that noise, noise, noise! We never actually want to lose the warm feeling the holidays bring. This goes out to identifying your stress and then letting it go...holiday style!

So why is it that we sometimes let The Mean One take over us? Is it because our hearts shrank two sizes too small? Or maybe because our shoes are too tight or that our heads aren't screwed on quite right. In actuality sometimes it's just life bringing us down. Life can be stressful, especially around the holidays. The world is full of lights and cookies, but sometimes we still let our emotions get the best of us.

Put on your Santa suit and find a reindeer; it's time to shed that green coat! After realizing life has hit you pretty hard you're ready to let go of that stress and start rockin' around the Christmas tree, one of the many great things about the holiday season is there is an extra million ways to cheer you up. You have the classics like baking (or eating) cookies and watching corny Christmas movies, but sometimes it takes a little extra. Here's a list of just some of the things you can do to make yourself feel merry and bright.

-Do charity work

-Count your blessings

-Walking around to see lights with a loved one

-Make an advent calendar of new Christmas activities to do everyday

-Christmas song karaoke

- Christmas crafts/art

-Go ice skating and have a good laugh when you slip

-Meditate to orchestral Christmas music

-Turn your letter to Santa into a letter of holiday positivity to yourself ( read everyday to remind yourself you can be happy)

These are just some ways to get your Grinch heart to grow two sizes more. Even though sometimes our spirits may be bashed, take every second to enjoy the magic of the holiday season before it's gone. If you've let the childlike wonder in your eyes fade, then find something new to spark it. Finding a positive emotional release is vital, so find yours and smile this season.