The bells are ringing. The snow is shining. But you are disappointed.

You may be suffering from the holiday blues, which experts say is not uncommon.

A strained relationship with family, for example, can make this time of year quite lonely. Vacations are expensive and financial problems can cause significant stress. Holiday anxiety can fuel depression and worsen existing mental health issues.

“Many people, in some years, may find the holidays more difficult than in previous years,” said Shilagh Mirgain, a psychologist at UW Health in Madison, Wisconsin. “It is important to recognize the common humanity that others also struggle with.

“You are not alone.”

Here’s what experts say you can do to make your holiday season a little more bearable, even joyful. If family time isn’t much fun, set limits

It’s hard to avoid spending a lot of time with family during the holidays, Mirgain said, but there are ways to make things a little easier.

“This year, I think with the recent election, there’s a lot of division and discord, and you’re probably going to have to interact with family members who have really opposing beliefs,” she said. “It can stir up strong emotions.”

Think about the boundaries you want to set: what kind of contact do you want to have with your family and how long are you willing to stay with them?

It’s also important to give yourself permission to leave the event and put strategies in place, she said. For example, if you need space, go for a walk or run errands.

And if stressful conversations arise, prepare language to draw your boundaries quickly and firmly.

“You might say, ‘Gosh, thanks for asking, but I don’t talk politics on the holidays,'” Mirgain suggested. If you’re grieving or alone, connect with others

The holidays can be difficult for people who are grieving or who don’t have anyone nearby to celebrate with.

“Loneliness and isolation can be exacerbated during the holiday season when you look around and feel like everyone is getting together and you don’t have plans, or expect not looking forward to your plans,” Mirgain said.

Find ways to connect with people if that’s something you want to do, like scheduling calls with people across the country or volunteering in your community.

“There are so many opportunities to give back during this time, and I think generosity is one of the best things we can do for our own well-being,” she said.

And if you’re mourning the death of a loved one, the holidays can be a great time to reflect on that person’s legacy, said Dr. Ellen Lee, a geriatric psychiatrist at UC San Diego Health.

“Try to honor that person by visiting their grave or doing something they really loved doing, and then find people to share those memories with,” Lee said. She also advises people not to calm their feelings but to let themselves cry. If money makes you anxious, contact us

Gifts, dinners, decorations: There’s a lot to keep track of this time of year, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. These extra expenses and meetings can put more strain on your mental health.

For milder symptoms of depression, anxiety or mood issues, rely on tried-and-true methods of self-care, experts say, like spending time doing something you enjoy or watching a movie.

But it’s important to seek help if you start to experience increasing financial anxiety or intensifying symptoms that are affecting your ability to function. Early intervention can prevent them from escalating, Mirgain said, adding that if you have suicidal thoughts, contact your provider. You can also call or text 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org. If you’re overwhelmed, set realistic expectations

Remember, your vacation doesn’t have to be a Hallmark movie. Give yourself permission to do things differently this year, Lee said.

“We have so many goals, so many targets,” she said. “Receiving all the presents, decorating the house perfectly… sometimes it helps to focus on the most important part.”

This may be different depending on who you are: the most important part may be spending time with people you don’t see often or having a nice meal with your favorite foods.

Lee stressed that it was good to have a low-key celebration.

“I ask people, ‘What’s the best part of vacation?’” she said. “It’s usually not about the decorations or all those extra things that we all spend a lot of time worrying about.”

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