Christmas celebrations are over and by now, many Americans are recovering from the New Year’s Eve partying. As hangovers subside, millions turn to making their New Year’s resolutions.

At one time, New Year’s resolutions served a useful purpose in that they helped people make positive changes to their lives. Over time, many people make resolutions with good intentions, knowing they will never keep the resolution more than a few days to a month.

The new year also brings the reality of how much people spent on Christmas. It’s now time to figure out how to pay for all of the charges.

As the reality of finances and the need to make changes sink in, many people find it overwhelming, making this the season for depression and suicide. As one source stated:

“Most people who start feeling suicidal during the holidays are dealing with depression already, and what pushes them over the edge is the conflict between grim reality and an anticipation of idyllic togetherness, bounteous presents and yuletide joy. Ceaseless ads of families showering each other with love and packages, and songs playing everywhere about this being ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ don’t help.”

“‘That expectation that this time we will all pull together, my family will finally love me, I will find someone to love in this magical time of year – all that stuff looks great in the magazines and movies, but it rarely really happens like that,’ Meyer said.”

Depression does increase during the Christmas holiday season, but often peaks after the new year as things settle down and reality sets in. With a rise in depression comes a rise in suicides.

This may be especially true for older people who feel more isolated and alone than younger families. They miss their loved ones and friends and their families. Sometimes, that loneliness is too much to bear.

If you or someone you know is subject to depression, especially this time of year, here are some tips that I’ve gleaned from a number of sources:

1) Take Walks – studies have shown that exercise is good not only for everyone, but especially for people who suffer from forms of depression. Most exercise programs are harder, more discouraging and often create a lack of desire to exercise, but just taking walks around your neighborhood are easier. Better yet, go to a local mall and just walk the mall several times. Your attention is taken away from the fact that you’re exercising and it also presents the opportunity to interact with other people, another important way to fight depression.

2) Find a new hobby or return to an old hobby. One of the dangers of depression is that it seems to cloud out everything else, but many hobbies give purpose and helps to brighten one’s world.

3) Take time to unplug and relax. Actually, this is important for many people in today’s hectic world. Unplug the phone or turn it off, turn off the lights, sit back and just take a few moments to relax and let you mind settle down. Just don’t dwell on the reasons of your depression, but concentrate on happier things and times.

4) Create a bucket list of small items. Make a list of things to accomplish, small things and then check them off as you accomplish them and add new ones as you go. Take them one at a time. Don’t make things too difficult to accomplish. Once you start to see how many things you have accomplished, it gives you a sense of value and a reason to keep going.

5) Make a conscious effort to be nicer to yourself and others. Don’t be a Scrooge. Your mood doesn’t only affect you but it affects everyone else around you. Your foul mood can be contagious, but it’s so much better to spread a contagion of smiles and joy.

6) Get out of the house more. Spend time with friends and family. Make new friends. Volunteer at a charity or school. I recall reading of an older woman who was all alone and felt useless and depressed. She volunteered to be a story reader at a local elementary school and interacting with the kids proved to be the perfect remedy for her depression and loneliness. She found that the kids looked forward to her visits and soon, she did too.

7) Don’t hide your depression or symptoms from those close to you. Be open and share with them. You may find that they are suffering some of the same things you are and that once you share, you end up helping each other.

8) Try eating mood foods. Try adding more fruit and vegetables to your diet. Things like cherries, kiwi, blueberries, avocado, celery, papaya, mango, tomatoes, peppers (hot and bell), garlic, quinoa and nuts. A little research will reveal a host of foods considered to be mood foods which are also healthy.

9) Don’t get disappointed over things you cannot control. Life is full of failures, big and little. Understand that and accept it. Instead of letting a failure get to you, look past it and what you can do to either make things right or just move on.

10) If possible, take a trip. Short or long trips help take your mind off of your woes. Take a cruise or sight-seeing tour where others do most everything for you and all you have to do is enjoy the ride and view.

11) Ask for help. If not from a family member or friend, seek professional help. Don’t just wallow in your misery, but get help to climb and stay out of the wallow of gloom and doom.