So many people experience feelings of sadness or loss, of being overwhelmed at this time of year, even the name for it has become a cliché: the Holiday Blues.

As the name implies, these blues are seasonal. When the holidays are over, they'll probably disappear along right with the decorations and last of the Christmas cookies. But they are real and their symptoms can dampen an otherwise joyous holiday experience. Here are some symptoms and some solutions

• Families and family traditions change. Are you hanging onto old ideas or pictures?

• Media images of the perfect holidays seldom match anyone’s real life. Check your expectations against the reality of your situation.

• Over-indulging in food and drink will have aftereffects. So will lack of physical exercise, sleep and rest.

The crushing blackness of depression can seem insurmountable when you’re in it. But there are things you can do to help lighten the darkness and even project a feeling of well-being and joy.

1. Stay connected with others. Isolating yourself doesn’t protect loved ones nor help you. Just being around others in silence is better than hiding away.

2. Set priorities and do what you can. Acknowledge (even celebrate) the completion of even little things.

3. Do physical work. Chop wood or scrub the bathtub or prune trees. Physical effort helps to shift emotional blockages and numbness.

Winter blues color the mood of those in the higher latitudes most often, but even residents of milder climes can experience a touch of after-the-holidays seasonal heaviness. Symptoms may include feeling a little sad, experiencing a lack of energy, boredom, and maybe some loneliness.

Following are ten ways to relieve those winter blues.

1. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.

2. Keep a regular sleep schedule.

3. Pamper yourself—massage, beauty salon, spa. Paint your toenails.

Depression becomes a depressive illness when symptoms intensify and persist over an extended period of time.

The good news is that depression can be treated; the sad news is that nearly two-thirds of depressed people don’t get appropriate treatment. Even with all we know, some still believe depression is a personal fault or weakness, and that the person who is suffering could just “snap out of it” if he or she wanted to....

Some Symptoms of Depression

• Persistent sad or “empty” feelings, feeling discouraged, blue or down.

• Negative feelings – feeling guilty, unworthy. Self-criticism or self-blame.

• Decreased energy, feeling fatigued, restless, irritable or lethargic.

• Increase or decrease of sleep, insomnia; awaking earlier or later than usual.