Get your Xanax, Zoloft and Prozac ready: You're Going to Need It

Research conducted by The Stress Institute has found evidence that this coming January 24, 2006 will be the most depressing day of the year. I am feeling depressed just thinking that my tax dollars went into this report. It seems that clinical tests of people whining and moping about their holiday bills and their tax refunds not coming fast enough has initiated a book tour for Dr. Kathleen Hall, who is also offering tips on how to avoid the blues.

The research conducted has stress scientists hypothesizing that people feel as if there is a shadow, a dark cloud of gloom over them because of the low levels of light in winter, although I find white snow to be extremely bright. The low light causes Seasonal Affective Disorder — in other words SAD. They have also factored in holiday bills catching up to folks as well as their guilt-laden New Year's resolutions, which have already being broken by the next day.

Depression is rampant, and it may become an epidemic, especially on January 24. The variety of emotional and stress factors responsible for this have recently been published in Health magazine, in which they, too, are proclaiming January 24 to be the most depressing day of the year. Now this is an epidemic. If more people catch on to this it will be a SAD day in American history.

Stress expert Dr. Kathleen Hall, author of A Life In Balance, says there are many steps people can take to create happiness in their dreary lives during the darkest and coldest days of the year. She says, "People experienced sensory overload during the holidays: the lights, the smells of pine and peppermint, sounds of music, the aromas, the sight and taste of foods, and the touch and connection with others. By January, they are now experiencing a flat, hollow, sad feeling."

Dr. Hall has steps one can take to help prevent SAD.
1. Food: Try new foods that haven't been eaten before. Get the family to choose a cuisine everyone can cook it together. Try mango salad or black bean lasagna.
2. Color: Add color to your life. Purchase an inexpensive tablecloth with happy bright colors, maybe orange or yellow. Keep bright flowers on the kitchen table. Find some inexpensive brightly colored pillows for the couch. Accessorize your outfit with a bright scarf or shoes.
3. Have Fun: Schedule one or two nights a week to turn off the television and have a game night. Play board games or cards. Watch a funny movie — research shows this will get the endorphins going.
4. Introspection Time: Have each family member choose a word to describe 2005 and another word for 2006, and explain why the words were chosen.
5. Time Alone: Allow each family member to take ten minutes on any three days of the week to take a bath, read, paint or take a nap to help recharge their inner resources during these draining times.

WOW! The billions research dollars have allowed Dr. Hall to find only five steps to help me get off the couch and out of my PJs.

Depression is as real as winter is cold, and I don't mean to make fun of it. But seriously people, research to tell us we are going to be a little down in the dumps is not necessary, nor is a book. If you can't help being SAD, lonely and depressed, then get help, whether from family, friends or a licensed therapist. It's up to you to be happy, no one else can do it for you. So hug someone, get those emotions in order and LIVE. Dr. Hall, thank you for making January 24, 2006 a memorable day for me.