The holidays are the season of love and cheer, but for some people it's also the season of feeling down.
Mental health professionals say the holiday blues are real, with 40 percent of people suffering from seasonal depression.
Symptoms include feeling sad most of the time, sleeping too much or too little, eating too much or too little, and irritability.
Over-commercialization can also bring on a bout of the blues, with shoppers feeling guilty for not being able to afford the expensive gifts they see on tv.
Doctors say feeling sad occasionally is natural, but not all the time.
They say it's important to remember the true meaning of the holidays and keeping your priorities straight can help with that.
Make sure you're not taking on too many obligations so you don't get overwhelmed.
A good diet and exercise can also keep the blues at bay.
