Newswise — Do you or someone you love have the "Holiday Blues?" Just can’t seem to get into the holiday spirit?

Well, help isn't as far away as you might think. In fact, each of us has the ability to turn that "frown upside down."

With the holiday season upon us, many people may not see it as "the most wonderful time of the year." We’ve all seen the various reports and studies that show this time of year can actually increase some people's feeling of anxiety and depression.

Barry Nierenberg, Ph.D., ABPP, an associate professor at Nova Southeastern University's Center for Psychological Services, says that doesn't have to be the case. He takes a different approach to mental health – he comes at it from the perspective of happiness (i.e. positive psychology.)With more than 30 years of experience working in the field, he understands what can affect people this time of year and what we can do to refocus our lives on what matters, which can help get you out of those holiday blues.

"There are things – simple things – we can all do to help boost our mental health immune system," Nierenberg said. "Some things we can't control, but there's so much we can control that can help during this time of year."

Nierenberg currently serves on the Executive Board of the American Board of Rehabilitation Psychology. He is the one of the Past Presidents of the American Psychological Association's Division of Rehabilitation Psychology and Past President of the Academy of Rehabilitation Psychology. Additionally, he served on Florida Department of Health's Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Advisory Council for more than 10 years, where he previously held the post of Chairman.

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