The holiday season brings with it great joy, parties, gifts, depression and the holiday blues. It is important to define depression versus the holiday blues.

Depression is considered a mental disorder that affects millions of people around the world. Common symptoms are loss of interest, loss of appetite, fatigue, lack of concentration, depressed mood, inability to sleep and a feeling of low self-worth. Depression can impair a person’s ability to handle every day activities including job performance.

Most mental health professionals define the holiday blues as an overwhelming feeling of sadness.

If you are presenting symptoms of depression, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible for treatment. If you are experiencing the holiday blues, here are some tips to help you beat the blues and enjoy your holiday season.

The first step to beating the holiday blues is to set realistic expectations. Many people try to create the perfect holiday for their family and friends. Experts suggest this is the number one way to experience the holiday blues. Striving for perfection is stressful and simply unrealistic. To keep the holiday blues away you need to let go of the idea of perfection. Your goals for this season should be simple and attainable. Family and friends would much rather see you happy and enjoying yourself than frantic and sad.

The world has experienced an economic downturn. The financial burden of the holiday season is the second most common cause of the holiday blues. This year, be honest with yourself and your family. We often want to keep up with our neighbors, what we do not realize is that they are suffering as well. The impression of having money is not the same as having money. This year keep your gifts and holiday expenses within affordable limits. You can set aside some money to shop after the holiday sales. You will find fantastic bargains and you can surprise your family members with an unexpected gift.

The third most common cause for the holiday blues is the loss of a family member or strained family situation such as divorce. This is tough to get through especially if it is the first holiday since your loved ones passing. The sadness is unbearable for many. The best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to talk about your feelings and allow family members to share their feelings. In this simple act, you may still feel sad but you will also feel the relief of letting your emotions out.

We often focus on what we do not have. This season make a commitment to be grateful for what you do have. Be grateful for you family and friends. Be grateful for the roof over your head. Be grateful for the gifts that you can purchase. Some of the greatest holiday stories are those in which the smallest of blessings changed a person's life.

Make a commitment to enjoy this holiday season by keeping things simple.

Happy Holidays!!