“The holidays can be difficult for anyone going through major life changes or economic issues,” said Terry Stevens, CEO of Cenpatico and a former child and family therapist. “There are many ways to inspire a more positive mood, and people shouldn’t simply resign themselves to feeling sadness.”

Stevens offers these five tips for combating the holiday blues:

Talk Things Out – Many adults experience “holiday blues.” If you’re not able to compensate for it in some other way, or feel that the “blues” might be drifting into depression, seek professional help through your physician or your community behavioral health agency.

Start New Traditions – If you’ve recently lost a loved one, if the holiday season is the anniversary of such a loss or if your living situation has changed in the past year and you are away from loved ones, try to start new traditions. These may not seem like much at first, but if you are able to repeat them over the next few years, they’ll begin to feel comfortable.

Participate When You Can – If you’re feeling blue, it’s difficult to have enthusiasm for social outings. Participate at a level that feels comfortable to you, but try not to isolate yourself entirely. A little participation might pick up your spirits.

Take Care of Yourself - Media messages can be overwhelming. This might be a good time to spend evenings with a good book or quiet music instead of watching television.

Volunteer Your Time - There are many social service programs for people in need during the holidays. Taking time to participate, if only for a few hours, can be a good way out of the doldrums.

This entry is filed under News.