Holiday Depression
Holidays are supposed to be a joyful time, a time of cheer filled with parties and family gatherings. But for some, the holidays can be a lonely reminder of past sorrows and future worries. Towards the end of the year, many people suffer from holiday depression. If you or a loved one suffers from holiday depression, here’s what you need to know about this condition, and what you can do to recognize and overcome it.
Why So Blue?
With the stress, exhaustion, expectations, financial worries, commercialization, and other burdens of the holiday season, it’s no wonder that many people become depressed during this otherwise magical time of year. Factor in the physical demands of shopping, cooking, parties, and guests, and it’s amazing that sadness and anxiety don’t overwhelm us all. Many folks become depressed or develop other stress responses such as migraines, sleep disorders, appetite changes, aggression, or excessive drinking.
Preventing Holiday Depression
If you are prone to becoming depressed around the holidays, you need to be proactive in looking for ways to keep depression from creeping over you. There are a number of strategies that you can utilize to prevent depression from becoming a problem.
Keep It Real: There always seems to be an overabundance of social activities, chores, and events during the holiday season. You simply can’t do it all if you hope to maintain your sanity. Keep your expectations reasonable and set realistic goals about what you can and cannot accomplish. Learn to say “no” when you need to; after all, your priority is to yourself and your family.
Spread Out the Joy: If you place all of your focus on one day of the holiday (i.e. Christmas or Thanksgiving Day), then you are certain to be disappointed and depressed if something doesn’t turn out just as you planned. Place less importance on one specific day or event, and instead spread the joy out over the entire holiday season, that way you’ll be less likely to become overwhelmed.
Take Care of Yourself and Others: Make a special effort during the holiday season to eat healthy and nutritious meals and to work a little exercise into your daily activities. Taking care of yourself can help boost your mood and appearance and give you the extra energy you need to handle all that’s being asked of you. And while you’re at it, take time to nurture your soul by making time for others. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or prepare a few handmade gifts for needy families. Doing things for others who are less fortunate than yourself will help you keep the holidays in perspective.
Don’t Expect Miracles: Yes, the holiday season is often described as a magical one, but that doesn’t mean you should expect miracles. If you tend to bicker with your sister, or if your mother can be a nag, this will probably be the case during the holidays as well. Similarly, if your children tend to run late or spill things on their good clothes, this will probably happen too. Prepare yourself for the inevitable. You can’t change your relationships (or your children) all in one day. Enjoy your time with your loved ones without expecting them to be someone else just because it’s a holiday.
Change Things Up: Don’t be afraid to make a few changes in your holiday celebrations this year. Your co-workers might be thrilled to do a Secret Santa, rather than buy a slew of individual presents. And just because you put 10,000 lights on your house last year doesn’t mean that you can’t be happy with a small wreath and a candle in the window this year. Think about the things that caused you the most stress last year and look for new ways to enjoy them.
Stay Connected: Holidays can be very lonely times for those who have lost a loved one. And worse yet, these folks often hold in their sadness so as not to ruin anyone else’s holiday. There is room for sadness and loneliness during the holidays, but the key is to keep them from weighing down yourself and others. Stay connected with loved ones and don’t be afraid to share your feelings. Acknowledging your emotions can often help you diminish their hold on you.
Recognizing Depression
Despite your best efforts to pace yourself and stay positive during the holiday season, depression may still get the best of you. We all have good days and bad days, but if you think you are truly becoming depressed, you need to reach out and get help. Here’s how to recognize depression.
- Crying Spells
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feelings of sadness or guilt
- Appetite changes
If these symptoms begin to show up in your daily life, take action against your depression by slowing down and reaching out to friends and family for extra support. If they persist for several weeks past the holidays, seek the advice of a qualified therapist or counselor to help you cope with your depression