Coping With Holiday Blues
If "Bah, Humbug" is a more accurate description of how you feel during this time of year than "Happy Holidays," you could have the holiday blues. It's not uncommon to feel more stressed out than usual or down during the holiday season. In fact, in one study by NBC Dateline and Prevention Magazine, 41% of people surveyed say the holiday season is as stressful as a job interview.
Learn why people feel down during the holidays and seasonal affective disorder, and learn some ways to cope with the stresses and emotional ups and downs of the holidays.
Why Do the Holidays Make Me Depressed?
The things that make the holidays fun for some people are the same things that make them torture for others. The pressures to be with family, go to parties and have house guests as well as the demands of shopping, fatigue, travel, and unrealistic expectations, all contribute to holiday depression. Many people feel that they are "supposed" to be happy, which only makes it worse.
The over-commercialization of the holidays can make it particularly difficult. Finding the time and money for shopping, decorating and going to parties can put a lot of stress on what is probably already a tight schedule and budget. Parties are especially hard on many people, whether you're the one giving the party or attending it; the pressure to have a good time or provide a good time for others can take all the fun out of it.
For many people, being away from family or feeling sad because of the loss of a loved one can cause holiday depression. The symptoms of holiday depression include:
- Headaches
- Feelings of sadness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling nervous or anxious
- Drinking too much
- Overeating
How to Cope
The National Mental Health Association recommends the following steps to help avoid holiday depression:
- Keep your expectations of the holidays manageable.
- Look for ways to simplify and don't be afraid to decline invitations.
- Keep in mind that you don't have to be happy all the time. Accept that it's okay to experience a whole range of feelings during the holidays, including sadness, anger, frustration, and happiness. Sometimes just taking the pressure to be happy off can leave you feeling better.
- Look to the future; don't try to recreate holidays of the past. Traditions are good, but only if they make you feel better.
- Volunteer. Doing something for others is fulfilling.
- Alcohol is a depressant and will only make the blues worse. Drink moderately, if at all.
- Try out a new experience for holiday celebrations. Be creative and make it fun.
- Spend time with supportive and caring people. Reconnect with old friends.Don't take on too much yourself.
- Don't be afraid to accept help.
- Talk about good memories and missed loved ones, remembering the good times.
- Avoid situations where you know you will be uncomfortable or where you know there may be people who will upset you.
Yes, it is possible to get through the holidays and even have some fun doing it. By giving yourself permission to feel sad, stressed or down, and then taking steps to take better care of yourself, you can improve your mood and find the "happy" in "Happy Holidays."