Now is the time when we should be feeling the magic of the season and rejoicing in the love shared with family and friends. For some, however, this time of year only accents the pain and depression that may only peak out during other times of the year.

David Neubauer, M.D. wrote an informative piece on just this topic for Yahoo! Health. He suggests some great tips for beating these blues. My personal tips include using lavender essential oils as aromatherapy, drinking yerba mate tea (great stuff!), getting adequate sleep and keeping positive, good-humored friends and family close.
Here are Dr. Neubauer’s suggestions:

- Don’t over- or under-schedule yourself. People sometimes plan too many or too few activities around this time of year. Rather than be left with idle time that may bring on sad feelings, try to schedule events, performances, social activities, or travel.
- Give to those less fortunate. Participating in volunteer activities that brighten the lives of others can sometimes provide the satisfaction we feel is missing from our lives. Soup kitchens, nursing homes, toy distributions, and conservation projects are possibilities. A Yahoo! search of “holiday volunteer” brings up a wide range of options across the United States and abroad.
- Write down your and others’ ideas. Perhaps readers of this blog will add to this list with their own creative, worthwhile, and satisfying ways to help others and yourself during this time of the year.
- Get help if you need it. Despite plans to avoid the holiday blues, some people will experience severe episodes, as they might at other times of the year. Seek help for yourself or for someone else who may be suffering severe depression.
- Find out if you have SAD. Some people will experience depression around the holidays as part of a more sustained low mood due to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Those suffering with SAD may respond well to bright light therapy or antidepressants.


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