If you were planning on going somewhere but had to cancel at the last minute, decide whether or not you want someone to fill others in about your absence. Maybe you'd prefer a friend to just tell everyone, "She's not feeling up to coming but says Happy Holidays!" Maybe your mom or dad can deliver a message through another parent. Don't feel like you have to explain yourself, but it may help to take the mystery out of your no-show.

Choose your sources. If you do want to know all about the event you had to skip, decide who to get the scoop from. Your friend who likes to emphasize all the negative things in the hopes that you won't feel so bad? Someone who supposedly hung out all night with your crush?

Once you've missed the party, prom, or big day at the mall, ask yourself what's better for you: knowing every detail, or not knowing at all? Will hearing about the fun be like torture? Will it add to your stress? Or will knowing all the gossip make you laugh and feel better? Do what feels best for each situation.

It's natural to feel like you're letting someone down or disappointing a group of people -- even when you're feeling seriously disappointed yourself. Try to block out what others might think and concentrate on what you and your body need. Chances are, people who know and care about you will understand.

If there was a particular person you really wanted to see at an event -- maybe a party's host, or someone you just totally miss -- make a point to connect with him or her after the fact via phone, IM, or e-mail.

Deciding whether or not to go out when we're feeling sick can be a really tough choice. We may decide to ignore what our body's telling us because we're determined to be there, period. But since we can't stop diarrhea or cramps through the force of sheer will power, sometimes we just have to deal. But we don't have to do it alone. Talking out the situation with a parent or sibling can really help us figure out the best choice.

Giving your friendships enough time and attention can be a challenge when you're not able to be as big a part of the social scene as you used to. This can be a real problem when you feel like you're always canceling on a certain friend and afraid he or she will take it personally (and perhaps they do). Think about how you can make up for it. Can you do something mellow one-on-one? Will it help to just be honest and say, "Do you feel like I'm always bagging on you? I do! And I hate it!"

Remember that getting the rundown on your own terms first might be better than hearing things later through the gossip grapevine.

Think through what's happened in the past. What about the night you went to the party despite your pain and had a TERRIBLE time? Try to remember what you may have learned from past decisions.

If you feel well enough, you might use the time to do something special for yourself. Watch a funny movie, give yourself a pedicure, shop at your favorite store or play video games. Try to look at your time alone as time to just be with you.