What causes holiday blues?

Sadness is a truly personal feeling. What makes one person feel sad may not affect another person. Typical sources of holiday sadness include:
stress,
fatigue,
unrealistic expectations,
over-commercialization,
financial stress, and
the inability to be with one's family and friends.

Balancing the demands of shopping, parties, family obligations, and house guests may contribute to feelings of being overwhelmed and increased tension. People who do not view themselves as depressed may develop stress responses, such as:
headaches,
excessive drinking,
over-eating, and
insomnia.

Others may experience post-holiday sadness after New Year's/January 1st. This can result from built-up expectations, disappointments from the previous year, coupled with stress and fatigue.

Tomorrow... how to cope... 'cause I sure need it!!