Holiday Blues

The holidays are a wonderful time, but for some they can also be a tough time.

It's called the holiday blues because for some, they can get sad and depressed this time of the year. But there are ways to avoid it.

Here's the main problem: it looks like everyone else is enjoying the holiday season, but you just feel lonely and depressed. You might have family or job issues or you can't afford that special gift a loved one wants. These holiday blues for some can be intense and unsettling. But the good news is they are usually very short lived and they tend to go away after the holiday rush is over and daily routines are resumed.

These holiday blues are a normal response to a very stressful time of year. Everyone gets a little frazzled right about now, but those with the holiday flues experience more intense symptoms ranging from headaches, to sleep problems and maybe even full blown depression.

Some things can help you avoid this. Keep your expectations of yourself and others realistic. Not everyone's home is going to look like a magazine house and remember that you don't have to buy that expensive gift someone wants. Share your time by volunteering this time of year. That'll help you put things into perspective. Let go of past issues, spend time with people you care about, and try to make new friends. Also, look for activities like caroling or just singing along when you hear your favorite holiday songs, these are usually the ones that remind us of our carefree childhood days. Of course, getting plenty of rest and exercise during this stressful season can also help you feel your best.