If you’ve had enough “ho ho ho” already,try this phrase instead...

For some people, high expectations, money woes and other holiday hazards can take a lot of the joy out of the season...

If you fall into that category, you might want to consider replacing “ho ho ho” with “no no no.” John Sharp, a psychiatrist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, says saying “no” can be a be a big relief and more productive than stretching and spending more than you have, only to feel like it’s still not enough. To avoid the holiday blues, make sure you’re getting plenty of sunlight exposure and make every effort to keep your schedule as normal as possible. Spreading yourself too thin, skipping sleep and pushing the envelope are common pitfalls to those prone to holiday depression. Spending, eating and drinking more than normal can also be a recipe for disaster and a not-so-happy New Year.