It's the most wonderful time of the year. But for many people in South Florida, the holiday season is stressful and hectic.
"What's going through my mind is I don't want to put any more money on my credit cards," said shopper Glenda Hughes.
The holidays mean good cheer and that can worsen the blues.
"We'll get often calls, people who are stressed out by finances, stressed out about trying to find work," said Demian Laudisio, a counselor at Switchboard of Miami. "This especially becomes poignant over the holidays season because you can hear that you're not able to provide."
Laudisio often counsels depressed clients. Call volumes go up especially during the holidays.
The Switchboard of Miami helpline is a free, confidential service open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Laudisio says insomnia, sadness, loneliness and anxiety are signs of the blues.
"What happens oftentimes is we have the family with us, and everything that's happened in our past can come up during the holidays," he said.
The best thing to do is enjoy the moment, be optimistic. Also, budget your time.
"Only six days left to get all the shopping done, gift wrapping cooking, invitations, parties," said shopper Nirma Pina.
And budget your money.
"That's my problem I see it I want it I buy it," said Hughes.
But the holidays are not an excuse for excess.
"Not just drinking, but eating binges can leave you with a sense of depression," said Laudisio.
"What we'd like to do is sit down and be quiet and listen and remember were celebrating Jesus' birth coming to us," adds Pina.
You can contact Switchboard of Miami Helpline at 305-358-HELP (4357) or visit the website.
