What are signs of the blues?

Researchers say these five signs could mean your unhappiness is lasting a while:

• Watching more than 20 hours of television weekly: One 2008 study found that happy people watch about 30 percent less TV each week than unhappy people because their leisure time is filled with other activities.
• Troubled relationships: Unhappy people might not attempt to make new friends or resolve issues with current ones.
• Uncontrollable stress: Feeling unable to alleviate stress can increase despondency.
• Seeking pleasure through new things: Because humans adapt to their circumstances, unhappy people often search for bigger and better goods to boost their moods.
• Poor sleep: Although worry might keep you awake, not getting quality sleep also adds to stress. Researchers say that sleep-deprived people are more sensitive to the effects of the stress hormone cortisol.

There is an array of symptoms that may mean you have the blues. These include feeling sad most of the day, loss of interest in activities that you have enjoyed doing, weight loss or weight gain, sleeping too much or too little, anxiety, fatigue, feeling worthless, unable to concentrate, and thinking about suicide.

If you have five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or more you may be suffering from the blues otherwise known as depression. It is really important that you talk to someone and get help.  It can be a friend, doctor, therapist, or even a rabbi, pastor or priest.  The key is to get help.