It’s that season again, the one where good tidings and cheer are all around and the general consensus is that ‘it’s the most wonderful time of the year’.

But what happens if this season depresses you and makes you a Scrooge? What if bad experiences throughout the year or from past Christmases, hinder your cheer? Or maybe you’re at a financial point where this Christmas, you won’t be able to afford all the parties and gift-giving? You’ll just be bored at home.

During this season most people look at the year in review — give thanks for the great and look back at the bad — and develop New Year’s resolutions.

After a bad year, reflection may not nessecarily be the best thing to do. You may not even have to think that far back because the experience is recent. It’s never easy to accept or forget the things we cannot change and our bad past experiences.This is what usually sparks depression.

TEENage has three tips that can help you to get out of your mood and at least try to enjoy the holidays.

Stay positive

They say one of the best therapies is the people who care about you. It’s never easy to get happy when you surround yourself with negativity. Letting your friends and family know how you’re feeling can help to get you out of your slump.

Maybe it’s something personal that has you down, like a very low bank account, your parents divorcing, the relationship that ended or thinking of the friend who passed away this year. Even then, feeling like a lost cause, sitting and moping around the situation isn’t going to help. Don’t dwell on the fact that you can’t floss this year like you once could.

People say ‘everything happens for a reason’ and the frustration and a little depression are understandable because that’s only human, especially when the experience affects you directly. But consider that even though things aren’t great there must be one spot of light in the dark and you just need to stay positive, find it and appreciate it.

Do something

You don’t have to spend thousands to have fun. Keeping occupied — whether at home or out with friends and family — it can help to get you’re mind off whatever causes you’re Scrooge mood.

You can always go catch lunch or dinner, watch a movie, spend a day at a park, go to the beach, dance the night away at a club or party, or just hang out at a friends house.

Remember too, that it’s always better to have your close friends and family know your situation, so that they can help, however, they can. Even if you’re only busy for half the day, it’s better than nothing at all.

Take care of your body

Vitamins can do wonders to our bodies and can help to reduce feelings of stress and depression. Both vitamins C and D make great anti-depressants whether in supplement form or through the foods you eat. Taking in some orange juice or soaking up some sun for a while can help to relax the body and make you feel less stressed and depressed.

Exercise is a great way to get the blood flowing and ease depression. Although getting into a routine is usually the hardest part, even engaging in simple exercises like jumping jacks three or four times a week can do wonders. It not only helps with depression, but it’s a great way to keep fit.

Sleep is also beneficial to getting rid of depression. It’s important to remember that it’s not just the fact that you are sleeping, but whether or not you sleep comfortably and for long enough. Getting enough sleep at night (just around eight hours) can help to make you relax, and is also needed for some of our everyday body functions.