The holidays are upon us again. This is supposed to be a joyful time of good cheer and optimism. But, it is not unusual for many people to feel sad, lonely, or even hopeless during the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's.

For many people the holiday season precipitates feelings of isolation, anxiety, sadness and depression. This experience during holiday time is commonly referred to as the holiday blues. Holiday depression may occur at any holiday or vacation time, but most commonly happens during the November-December holidays when, it may seem, just about everyone in the world is celebrating in some way.

There are several contributing factors for the holiday blues including but not limited to fatigue, inability to be with family, loss of a loved one, unrealistic expectations, and increased stress. In addition, the symptoms associated with the holiday blues are similar to symptoms associated with clinical depression such as inability to sleep or sleeping too much, agitation and anxiety, guilt feelings, and decrease in your interest to engage in pleasurable activities.

While these feelings may be intense and unsettling, holiday blues are usually short-lived, lasting for a few days to a few weeks prior to or just after the holiday. The good news is that the holiday blues usually subside after the holiday season is over and daily routines are resumed.

There's a long list of recommended do's and don'ts for managing the holiday blues. The critical thing to remember is that the holiday blues are a normal response to a stress-filled time of the year, and you don't have to suffer unnecessarily. Here are just a few suggestions to help you get through the holiday season, especially if you're feeling depressed or anxious:

• It's common sense to try to eat right, get rest and exercise;

• Set realistic goals;

• Create new ways to celebrate;

• Allow yourself to feel sad or lonely if you have good reason to;

• Do something for someone else;

• Spend time with people who care about you; and

• Treat yourself to a special holiday gift.

Of course there is the downside of the holiday season and clearly a list of things to avoid including:

• Don't drink too much alcohol;

• Don't focus on what you don't have;

• Don't spend money you don't have;

• Don't dwell on the past.

I know that are many people who can question the recommendations I'm offering as being too simplistic or just plain common sense. When you're dealing with a temporary situation like the holiday season, getting the blues or feeling depressed in relation to the holidays often can be treated with common sense recommendations. However, if your symptoms persist or you feel as if your depression is more severe than just related to the holidays and you feel hopeless, that's the time to reach out to speak to someone like a trained professional. Should you or a loved one need help this holiday season or anytime, please call our Counseling Center at 822-6111.