Counselor shares tools for practicing gratitude amid holiday stress and grief

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - As the holiday season approaches, financial pressures, hectic schedules and unresolved grief can make it difficult to stay positive. Marking the start of National Gratitude Month, counselor Dr. Gwen Martin says community members often feel guilty experiencing conflicting emotions during celebratory times of the year, but learning to acknowledge both struggle and appreciation is key to emotional well-being.“Allow yourself to feel all of your feelings. We can be stressed, we can be tired, we can be overwhelmed, but we can also be grateful,” Martin said. She noted that people often define entire days by a single frustrating incident, encouraging individuals instead to identify small, daily bright spots, whether a kind remark, a shared conversation or a positive observation.To help navigate seasonal anxiety, Martin recommended following “three G’s”: giving yourself grace to feel overwhelmed, staying grounded in what matters most, and giving of yourself through presen