With the Holidays rapidly approaching many people are beginning to feel a change in their mood toward depression. At a time where people usually feel happy, excited, and of good cheer some people do not. It becomes a sad and lonely time full of stress and anxiety.

What brings about this time of sadness? It could be related to a recent loss of a love one, a loss of employment, a change in diet, too many demands on a person's time, finances, or something from their past. This feeling is commonly called the holiday blues.

Holiday depression is expected only to last a short period of time and usually goes away after the holidays are over and life returns to its normal routine. There are some dos and don'ts to help people who suffer with the symptoms of holiday depression offered by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Reprinted with permission of the University of Maryland Medical Center Web site (www.umm.edu).

The Do's and Don'ts for managing holiday blues:

Do follow the three basics for good health:

• eat right.
• get plenty of rest.
• exercise regularly.

Do set realistic goals:

• organize your time.
• make lists.
• prioritize.
• make a budget and follow it.

Do let go of the past and create new or different ways to celebrate.

Do allow yourself to feel sad, lonely or melancholy -- these are normal feelings, particularly at holiday times.

Do something for someone else.

Do enjoy activities that are free.

Do spend time with people who care about you.

Do spend time with new people or a different set of friends or family.

Do contact someone with whom you have lost touch.

Do give yourself a break -- plan to prepare (or buy) one special meal, purchase one special gift, and take in one special event. The rest can be ordinary, but will seem special because of the time of year and the people you're with.

Do treat yourself as a special holiday guest.

Don't drink too much alcohol.

Don't overindulge in holiday foods, especially those that are high in sugar and fat.

Don't have unrealistic expectations of yourself or others.

Don't dwell on the past.

Don't focus on what you don't have.

Don't spend money you don't have.

For those that suffer with holiday depression or the holiday blues talking to a clergyman, a friend, a family member or a mental health counselor is another way of helping to work through this period of the blues.