PORTLAND, Ore. -- Is the sound of Christmas music and the sight of holiday decorations getting you down? If so, you’re not alone. The Holiday Blues are hitting people hard this year.

Why? It may come to no surprise, the economy is to blame.

Blake Hart works in the service industry. He said this holiday season he’s feeling really pinched. He said his inability to recreate the holidays of his childhood makes him feel depressed.

“As a child you have these fond memories of Christmas with gifts and all that fun stuff,” Hart said. “As an adult you start to cope with the financial situations your parents are dealing with, you realize you just can't afford it.”

Greg Crosby is a therapist with Kaiser Permanente. He said this time of year, people get down in the dumps because they can’t meet the demands and expectations of the holidays.

This year, he said, it’s worse.

“I’m seeing an increase in depression, and increase in relationship problems, and increase in anxiety,” Crosby said.

The cure? He said set simple, realistic achievable goals and focus on what you can do. Setting goals gives people hope. He said it’s also important to talk to you children about how finances will affect the season.

Link: Realistic goals

“It's important to tell your children the financial situation has impacted me. It has impacted us and we can still enjoy Christmas but we're going to have less this year,” Crosby said. “Plan pleasant activities together, look at Christmas lights, plan activities.”

Crosby said there is a silver lining. Having fewer presents to open may help families get back to the real meaning of the holidays, togetherness.

“Having conversations with people,” Crosby said. “Enjoy times together. It's very meaningful.”

If you’re still stressed out, Crosby suggested a few basic relaxation tips. Practice deep belly breathing, exercise, eat healthy foods, ease up on the alcohol and spend time with people you trust.

More: Relaxation tips