Eliminate the Holiday Blues: 5 Steps to Happy Holidays
Stephanie Modkins
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If you're starting to feel "blue" because it's the holiday season, you're not alone. Many people feel depressed around this time of year because of increased stress due money issues, lost loved ones an 
d unrealistic expectations. However, it's not too late to turn it around.
Below are five ways to perk up your emotions during the holiday season. If you follow them, you can enjoy this time of the year and do away with seasonal depression.
1. Keep "good" company. Keeping good company is just an old-fashioned way of saying hang around with positive people. If you have friends and family who make you feel great, stay close to them throughout the holidays. Avoid or keep at arms-length people who upset or depress you. However, if you must see someone who fits the prior category, decide in advance that you will not let anything they say or do affect you. Also, keep your visit short.
2. Set weekly allowances. Decide how much you'll spend on a weekly basis and stick to it. This amount should include what you plan on spending on presents, parties and daily living. One way to do this easily is by using cash only. On Sunday, take out the amount of cash you want to use during the week from your bank. Then, work with it for the next seven days. It'll help you monitor your spending habits because you'll be able to see in 'real time' if you are going overboard.
3. Spend time on yourself. Probably more than any time of the year, during the months of November and December, you'll be spending your time on the needs of others. It's not called the "season of giving" for nothing. For this reason, it's important to take time out for you. Therefore, carve out some time each week to do something that you love. Take a long bubble bath. Go for a walk. Spend time with at the movies. Just do something for you. It'll be like an early Christmas gift.
Below are five ways to perk up your emotions during the holiday season. If you follow them, you can enjoy this time of the year and do away with seasonal depression.
1. Keep "good" company. Keeping good company is just an old-fashioned way of saying hang around with positive people. If you have friends and family who make you feel great, stay close to them throughout the holidays. Avoid or keep at arms-length people who upset or depress you. However, if you must see someone who fits the prior category, decide in advance that you will not let anything they say or do affect you. Also, keep your visit short.
2. Set weekly allowances. Decide how much you'll spend on a weekly basis and stick to it. This amount should include what you plan on spending on presents, parties and daily living. One way to do this easily is by using cash only. On Sunday, take out the amount of cash you want to use during the week from your bank. Then, work with it for the next seven days. It'll help you monitor your spending habits because you'll be able to see in 'real time' if you are going overboard.
3. Spend time on yourself. Probably more than any time of the year, during the months of November and December, you'll be spending your time on the needs of others. It's not called the "season of giving" for nothing. For this reason, it's important to take time out for you. Therefore, carve out some time each week to do something that you love. Take a long bubble bath. Go for a walk. Spend time with at the movies. Just do something for you. It'll be like an early Christmas gift.