Reasons to celebrate and good cheer have been in short supply for many during the coronavirus pandemic. So Neda F. Gould, Ph.D., understands why some people put up holiday decorations or started listening to holiday music well before the calendar turned to December.

“Traditions help us create times to look forward to and a sense of comfort and stability,” says Gould, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. “They help give structure to the year and to our lives.”

Social distancing guidelines mean Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa celebrations will be unlike any in recent history, but Gould recommends using this unusual holiday season to start new holiday traditions, whether trying a new recipe or sending video messages to family and loved ones.

“You don’t need to compare this year to other years,” she says. “Think outside the box. What can we do to bring a little joy this year?”

Some people might find respite in the lack of holiday hustle-and-bustle, Gould adds, and those who associate the holidays with negative feelings have a chance to start fresh. If nothing else, the holiday season gives everyone a chance to reflect on what is important in life. A stressed brain tends to overlook the positive, she says.

“I think it’s really important to practice gratitude daily,” she says. “This is a perfect time of year to do it.”

Gould is available to discuss adapting holiday traditions during the pandemic, as well as how parents can talk to their children about any changes.