“Beginnings are scary, endings are sad, but it’s the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will…” (from the movie “Hope Floats, 1998)

If beginnings are scary and endings are sad, is it any wonder why many of us are plagued with the “post-holiday blues?”

Yale Depression Research Clinic claims that plummeting emotionally after the holidays is a “universal and normal” experience.

If you are currently suffering from frequent or persistent minor illnesses, insomnia or sleeping too much, forgetfulness or indecisiveness a post-holiday depressive episode may have the better part of you wrapped up and gathering dust like a sad, forgotten Christmas present.

A post-holiday depressive episode has the power to sideline your zest for living and “best laid plans” for the new decade. Beginning a the New Year is scary! Ending our holiday fun with nothing left but mounting credit card bills and a few extra pounds around our bellies is sad.

This leads me to ask:

How can we overcome the post-holiday blues?

A. Ignore it and hold your breath until spring.

B. Seek to understand the multidimensional nature of your pain.

C. Learn to forgive yourself and others.

D. Focus on increasing your support network.

If you answered:

A. When it comes to your emotions, playing ostrich is never the right answer—especially during the chill of winter—because it leaves you in a vulnerable position (if you know what I mean). And…I am quite sure that ostriches have the luxury of continuing to breathe while sticking their heads in the sand.

B. This little tidbit was snatched from a treatment guideline for chronic pain. I have found that saying things like this does make you sound smart, however, so feel free to drop this line into your next conversation.

C. Because I am a firm believer that forgiveness is always the right answer, it makes me cringe to to admit, in this case, it is not.

D. Correct. It is well known fact—among therapists—that one of the most powerful strategies to ease a short-term depressive episode is to make it a priority to spend time with people who are supportive and who care about you. We have been taught the “Great American Myth” that demands the every good citizen has to be strong, independent, and totally self-reliant so long most of us actually believe it. While this nonsense seems to have worked for John Wayne, it doesn’t work well for John (and Jane) Q. Public.

Here is what I would suggest if you are starting 2010 feeling the post-holiday blues:

▪ Reach out- Reintroduce yourself to old friends with whom you have lost contact. Bolster your courage and invite interesting people who show promise for the possibility of positive and rewarding friendships.

▪ Open up- Take time to call, write or visit a trusted friend or family member—or two—and tell them how you honestly feel. The ones who know you best often have the power to point you in the right direction the most quickly. Your honesty may come as a welcome relief. It is a good bet that at least one of your friends is having a tough time, too.

▪ Join in- Push yourself to attend activities where you will be surrounded by friends and acquaintances. This means (even though you feel tired) you get up and go to club meetings, sporting events and church services. This is always a better alternative to staying in and wrapping yourself in a blanket and a bad mood.

Beginning the New Year and ending our holiday fun is sad only when you try to “go it alone.” Reach out. Join in. Open up. You will find hope is not the only thing floating up—soon, your mood will too. Curtis Dean Hall M.S. is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist. His book, “A Girl’s Guide to Psychos, Players, Punks and Pervs: How to Become the Ultimate Guy-Detector,” came out in print in November 2008. Go to www.curtisdeanhall.com for more information.