For many, Christmas is a time of joy and rejoicing, of parties and presents, of family and friends getting together in celebration.

For many others, however, the experience is much different.

A long-held belief regarding the Christmas holiday is that depression rises at this time of the year, resulting in what is known as the “Holiday Blues.”

Depending on the individual, there are a myriad of reasons why people might become discouraged or frustrated during the Christmas season.

For starters, traffic flow and shopping centers tend to be more congested with holiday shoppers. The commute to and from work, the doctor’s office or anywhere else suddenly feels like being trapped in the migration of the wildebeest. Inside the stores, a plain old shopping trip to buy groceries turns into a game of bumper cars — with shopping carts.

Furthermore, society-at-large expects everyone to be full of holiday cheer, smiling and laughing just like Jolly Old Saint Nick. There is a lot of peer pressure to get into the holiday spirit and attend parties at work, at church and at the homes of relatives. It is all that some folks can do to just “grin and bear it” while pretending to enjoy themselves, when in fact they can’t wait until it is all over.

One of the biggest stressors is financial. Oftentimes, people feel obligated to buy gifts for everyone in their circle of life — for the workmates, the church pastor, the in-laws, the aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, nieces and nephews and … well, the list goes on. Not wanting to feel guilty about leaving someone off the Christmas shopping list, the temptation to overspend can be overwhelming.

On the other end of the spectrum, some people have no family or friends to spend time with. Perhaps they are divorced or widowed and are separated from their children or close family members. They may be physically ill or are a shut-in, whether in their own homes or staying in the hospital. The heartache of losing a beloved person in their lives might magnify during the holidays. In some cases, a loved one may have passed away at this time of year, a memory which darkens their spirit.

Those who struggle with depression at other times of the year might find themselves shuddering at the thought of having to deal with the high demands and stress that Christmas tends to invite.

There may be some myth to the belief that suicide rates increase during the Christmas holiday season, however. While the problem indeed exists, a study by the Center for Disease Control, Annenberg Public Policy Center, found that the daily suicide average in the United States from 1999-2013 (excluding 2011) was actually at its lowest point in December at a rate of 85.5. The month with the highest rate of suicides was May at 97.8. Rates began to increase in January, jumping to 91.9.

Holiday stress is very real, however, and should not be taken lightly. If stress, depression or anxiety issues become unbearable, it is best to consult a professional for medical or mental assistance.

A 2006 study on Holiday Blues by the American Psychological Association shows that 68 percent of people surveyed report increased fatigue during the holidays; 61 percent have higher stress levels; 52 percent feel more irritable; 36 percent report an increase of sadness; 35 percent have more anger; and 26 percent have higher loneliness.

WebMD.com offers practical tips on how to better deal with holiday stressors, expectations and loneliness.

Among them are the following:

Make realistic expectations for the holiday season.

Pace yourself. Do not take on more responsibilities than you can handle.

Make a list and prioritize the important activities. This can help make holiday tasks more manageable.

Be realistic about what you can and cannot do.

Do not put all your energy into just one day (i.e., Thanksgiving Day, New Year’s Eve). The holiday cheer can be spread from one holiday event to the next.

Live and enjoy the present.

If you are lonely, try volunteering some time to help others.

Limit your drinking, since excessive drinking will only increase your feelings of depression.

Make time to contact a long-lost friend or relative and spread some holiday cheer.

Let others share the responsibilities of holiday tasks.

Keep track of your holiday spending. Overspending can lead to depression when the bills arrive after the holidays are over. Extra bills with little budget to pay them can lead to further stress and depression.

Christmas is a special time of year for many who celebrate for religious reasons and spend additional time with family. Some folks are just glad to have a few additional days off work.

When all is said and done, however, life will get back to normal and continue beyond the Christmas season until it comes back around the following year. Soon, the New Year will come and go with more of the same daily routines and experiences that are part of life every year.

For those who struggle at this time of the year, it appears best to just see the holiday for what it is—a holiday—keep it simple, and remember that this, too, shall pass.

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