For many, the holidays are a time to celebrate...

For many, the holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends. But for some, the season can bring on feelings of intense stress and sadness. In fact, an estimated 10 million Americans, or about 6 percent of the U.S. population, experience these feelings in their most extreme form—a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Understanding SAD
A clinical mood disorder, SAD is characterized by extended periods of depression in fall and winter, when days are shorter, and more stabilized moods in spring and summer, when days are longer. Fortunately, the condition is highly treatable, and if you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from SAD, it's important to consult with a health-care professional so he or she can advise you on next steps.

Easing the Holiday Blues
Experts note that SAD is different, however, from the holiday blues. While SAD may last for months, the holiday blues generally last only a few days or weeks. If you're struggling with the holiday blues, it's also best to consult with a doctor. In addition, the Mayo Clinic recommends the following tips to help cope with the condition.
· Acknowledge your feelings. If a loved one has recently died or you aren't able to be with your loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness or grief. It's okay now and then to take time just to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.
· Set differences aside. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all your expectations. Practice forgiveness. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion arises. With stress and activity levels high, the holidays might not be conducive to making quality time for relationships. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are, they're feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too.
· Learn to say no. Believe it or not, people will understand if you can't do certain projects or activities. If you say yes only to those things you really want to do, you'll avoid feeling resentful, bitter and overwhelmed. If it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
· Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a dietary free-for-all. Some indulgence is okay, but overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese, or drinks. Continue to get plenty of sleep, and schedule time for physical activity.
· Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for several weeks, talk to your doctor or a mental-health professional. You may have depression.

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People aren't the only ones who love cookouts. Because of their unfettered access to outdoor feasts, insects and microbes of all varieties often enjoy them, too. And while you may see no harm in sharing a bit of your bounty with the earth's smallest creatures, you should know that their participation can come at a hefty price to your health.

There are some 250 foodborne diseases, caused by a myriad of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Each year, these diseases are responsible for making about 76 million people sick in the United States. Of these 76 million, 325,000 are hospitalized and 5,000 die. Do you know the facts on foodborne illness?

Bacteria Are Food-Lovers. Food provides bacteria with all the nutrients they need to flourish, but they also require a certain range in temperature, pH level, and water activity. E. coli bacteria can grow in temperatures as cold as 45° F and as warm as 122° F; they can survive in a pH level as acidic as 4.4 and need a minimum water activity of 0.95. The ranges for other bacteria vary, though often not widely, which means you should take the proper precautions with raw foods and cook meats to the USDA-recommended temperatures of 145° F for steaks and fish, 160° F for pork and ground beef, and 165° F for chicken.

They Can Multiply—Fast. Let's say there's a Salmonella bacterium in your potato salad. Under optimum conditions, it can replicate itself once every 20 minutes. After four hours, there will be 4,096 of its kind navigating through the mayo. And it's likely that it wasn't alone when it reached your salad. So if it showed up with a few hundred of its kind, you'll be left with about 1.23 million unwelcome Salmonella bacteria in four hour's time, which is enough to make you ill.

Always wanted to experience the great outdoors, but are afraid that you will be caught unprepared? Learn how be Prepared for a Hike.

Enlist a friend to hike with you. Someone who likes hiking and is good company is a good choice.
Choose where to hike. Consider the following when choosing: natural views and landscape, accessibility, the availability of marked hiking trails, the length of the hike based on your personal experience and ability. Consider the terrain of the area as well. Hills and mountains are beautiful but even a short steep hike can be too challenging.
Pack plenty of water. Even if you plan to hike for just a couple of hours, you do not want to run the risk of becoming dehydrated. Plan 1 L per person per hour of hiking.
Wear supportive, closed footwear and comfortable socks. Hiking boots are best. If you do not have boots, wear comfortable shoes with thick supportive soles.
Wear comfortable clothes in layers that you can remove or add as needed. If you are hiking in an area where the weather is changeable, pack rain gear.
Wear a hat and sunscreen. Pack additional sunscreen.
Somewhere along the trail you will probably get hungry, so you should pack something like GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts). GORP doesn't have to be raisins and peanuts. Cherries, almonds, M&Ms, walnuts, cranberries, and peanut butter chips are all good. Anything non-perishable and bite-sized will do. If you are eating a meal on the trail, pack light, and as spill-free as possible. Sandwiches, bite-sized vegetables, fruit leather, and apples are also good trail food. Pack a small bag to contain any trash that you make...do not leave any trash on the trail.
Let someone know that you are hiking, where, and how long you expect to hike. Tell them you will check in with them when you return. Then check in with that person when you return. Just in case anything goes wrong (for example, you get lost), that person will know where to look for you, or know to contact help if you do not return as expected.
Pack a cell phone.
Pack basic first aid supplies, including bandages, tweezers, and antiseptic wipes.
Pack your camera.

Here are some tips:
Always pack enough water! If you hike a lot, invest in a few Nalgene bottles for water.
A sturdy backpack with a stomach strap is good to carry everything in.
Remember the golden rule of hiking: Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.
Always hike with a buddy!