It's the first week after the holidays are over, the tree is down, the decorations are put away (well, mostly), but I can't help but think "It's over? Already?"

All the fuss, all the fanfare and hype that starts back in September is gone in a matter of days it seems. There is so much information out there about the stress of the holidays, but what about the feeling you have when the holidays are over? Like the bare spot in your living room left by your Christmas tree, when the holidays are over, it can feel a bit empty.

Especially for those of you who struggled a bit more this year, dealing with both a blood cancer diagnosis as well as the stressors of the season. So what to do? How can we shake the post- holiday funk? To be honest, I'm not sure that we need to shake it. These feelings that we have are there for a reason. I think what we need to do is recognize that it's normal to feel this way and find ways to manage it- just the same way we do during any low period.

Look for relaxation and coping techniques that work for you- then use them. The same way that you did during the holidays, place limits on how much you take on. Sometimes we tend to try to fill an empty feeling with more activity. For you, this may just lead to further fatigue and ultimately burnout. Check out these ideas for combating stress and depression:

• Dealing With Depression
• Improving your Coping Skills

So much happens around here at Lymphoma.about.com that it is easy to miss some of the newest articles!

Here is what was published this month:

• Coping with Cancer During the Holidays
• Helping Loved Ones With Blood Cancer Get Through the Holidays
• 'Twas the Nights Following Chemo
• Do You Have Good Coping Skills, Or Bad Coping Skills
• Coping with Taste Changes Following Cancer Treatment
• Safe Disposal of Needles and Other "Sharps"
• What Does Differentiation Mean?
• Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder in Cancer Patients

As 2011 comes to a close and we move into a new year, many of us try to make resolutions. Promises that we believe will make us happier, better people in the upcoming year. For some, it is to quit smoking, or lose weight, or break another bad habit.

If you have a blood cancer like leukemia, myeloma or lymphoma, your New Year's resolution this year may have a deeper meaning. Check out the top resolutions for blood cancer patients:

• 5 New Year's Resolutions for The Leukemia or Lymphoma Patient

As much fun as the holiday season can be, it can also put extra stress on an already tense situation.

If you have been diagnosed with a blood cancer, or love someone who has, you may be wondering how to manage through the stress of the season, in addition to everything else you are going through.

Here are a few tips to help you get through the "most wonderful time of the year."

• Coping with Cancer During the Holidays
• How can I help my loved one with blood cancer get through the holidays?