The holidays can bring about a range of emotions.

Certainly they can bring joy, happiness and love.

But for many, the holidays can bring feelings of stress, grief, loneliness and more.

In fact, a new poll from the American Psychiatric Association finds more than a quarter of Americans say they are more stressed this holiday season compared to last.

With many pointing to family issues or financial concerns.

And with an intense, highly emotional presidential election only a few weeks behind us, there's also concern that those feelings could reach the dinner table during the holidays.

For more on the rise in holiday stress and how to find solutions, I'm joined by our mental health writer, Bobby Brier.

Bobby, we know that the holidays are supposed to be joyous and relaxing, but that simply isn't always true.

And a new poll is pointing that out.

Let's talk about the poll and about those emotions like grief and loneliness and family dynamics.

Absolutely.

You know, right now, this national poll was conducted between November 16th and 17th from the American Psychiatric Association, showing just about 28% of Americans feeling more stressed this holiday season than last year.

Grief and loneliness were some of the major contributors of that.

We know that with those feelings, mental health experts have pointed to the fact that grief is really not a linear process, and it doesn't just happen once and then go away.

So for many folks who've lost a loved one throughout the year, this is kind of a time when they remember them through the different memories that they've had with them through these different holidays.

And that could bring up a range of emotions, including sadness and in some cases, depression.

So mental health experts have really recommended connecting with others who may have known that loved one to speak about that loved one, to not avoid talking about them, and to really try to enjoy the memories that you had with them.

So it's interesting, Bobby, because I do feel like the holidays are a time when the past and present collide.

Everything's out in the open, right?

And so it's hard to navigate those challenges, especially when we think about family dynamics.

So what advice have you heard from experts on how to kind of deal with that and kind of prevent any blow ups or uncomfortable conversations, right.

A lot of health care experts here in the state have pointed to the fact that when you're having conversations that may be tense, whether it's related to politics or not, that you don't have to get to the bottom of every argument that you could really try to, as much as possible, keep it light or in many cases, is what people say.

Agree to disagree about a topic, but the importance is there to really keep the peace between family members and to really not overstate one's opinion, and that you could really, you know, walk away from the conversation if it becomes too much.

We know that with the recent presidential election, a lot of people throughout the state were feeling stressed both before and after the recent election.

So, you know, mental health and health care experts have really pointed to the fact that it's okay to walk away from conversations and go back to, you know, maybe a sporting event or something where you could find common ground home.

I think that's great advice.

A great I like what you said.

Agree to disagree.

Let's just like, move on.

Right.

Right.

I think for many people, I think for many people, you know, there is a lot of worry and there's a lot of anxiety building up to the holidays.

It starts sometimes even in October.

I've seen decorations for Christmas as early as the end of October.

And a lot of it has to do with financial stress.

What did you find out in your reporting?

You know, with the financial stress and the affordability that really ties into the high cost of living just here in new Jersey and for many places throughout the country.

We've seen when it comes to just trying to find a place to live, rent, putting groceries on the table.

For many people, that's just enough stress to begin with.

When you add the extra holiday stress that almost feels like too much for many people.

So, mental health professionals have really talked about they really don't have to buy somebody the most extravagant gift or the most lavish gift.

Spending quality time with somebody, is a cheaper way and oftentimes a more thoughtful way to allow them, to to let them know that you care about them, that you love them in a way that you don't have to go into financial debt into, and also to, to bring about some more stress.

So those are just some of the most recent tips related to affordability and kind of address this underlying mental health issue that that many people are feeling during this time.

Right, right, right.

That's that's actually, an excellent point and really great advice.

What is the biggest takeaway that, you know, you really were able to learn or research that you found in your reporting that people should know.

You know, I think especially for, for young people, mental health practitioners have pointed to the fact that, you know, connection, is a way to stay in touch with your mental health.

So make sure if you're able to, to maybe get away from your cell phone for a second, put it down and try to meet with people, in real life, whether that's grabbing a coffee, going to see a movie with somebody.

Those are really ways that you could boost your mental health during this time.

And it's a way to cope with some of those more challenging, difficult emotions like grief and, financial stress as well.

So, as they had said, many mental health professionals, connection is protection.

Really what they mean by that is that the more you connect with people, the more you're able to protect both your physical and mental health and be around people that you feel safe.

Peace is just as important as gifts or anything else for sure.

Bobby Brier, thank you so much.

Excellent reporting, per usual.

Thank you very.