Buster Brown

"This is the season for joy" or is it? The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time of year, filled with hope for the future and optimism for humanity. With such films as "Miracle on 34th Street", "White Christmas" and "A Christmas Story" radiant holiday homes and encourage our memories of childhood dreams during this time of year, many people are not happy and feel more like Charlie Brown - 'A Charlie Brown Christmas "(without the optimism) or George Bailey from" It's A Wonderful Life "(without the happy ending).

Holiday Depression, better known as the "holiday blues" is real and it affects many people every year. The symptoms are many and varied and can be caused by stress, fatigue and tension that often occur during the holiday season.

"I'll Be Home For Christmas," "I'll have a blue Christmas" and other songs filled with sadness at not being with family and friends during the holidays, do not touch the depths of despair can occur, especially during December, a month that seems to be filled with lots of hustle and bustle and the "joy of the season.

There are several obvious reasons for the "holiday blues" or "depression syndrome holiday, as no family or friends, being with family you have problems with insecurity and anxiety about the future and finances, feelings of helplessness, sadness over not having met the goals you've wanted to get, and over commit your time.

How can you help ease holiday blues and depression experienced by many people during this time of year?

First, it is important to understand that you are not alone in what you feel. Statistically, millions of people each year who feel exactly as you do. Some people may even be the point of uncontrollable crying and feelings of loneliness severe.

They may even be the same people around you with big smiles on their faces in public or those who seem to have everything, including what looks like a big family.

The next step to help relieve the symptoms of holiday blues is to avoid the instant gratification of any kind. Instant gratification is like sugar to a diabetic. It takes you quickly and then you drop even faster with devastating effects, even disastrous, results.

Take your vitamins. Go to your local health food store to find what will work best for you. The B vitamins are great for relieving stress, as theanine, which is an amino acid and can be found in green tea. The two agents can act as sedatives. Do not take supplements without the advice and the express approval of your doctor.

Whatever you do, remember to compare the past and present. What I mean by that? I spend time talking about memories of how things used during happier times and how they seem today.

The more you focus on the negative, the more negative you feel. Try to find something positive to focus on each day and write it down. Keep a list and make a copy to post on the mirror of your bathroom, on the refrigerator door and in your car just to name a few places. Read the list aloud to you several times a day.

By focusing on positive things, even if only one or two things you can come up with, as you have a good smile, Nice hands or you have a car to drive and a roof over your head, you help retrain your brain chemicals to flow in a more positive and happy.

Keep your business and realistic expectations. Do not overbook. If you have nothing to do, get involved, but you beat! Many activities can help you with the holiday blues "syndrome.

Let me cite a few:

Engaging in a group or local charity.