It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? While this may be true for many, the holiday season can be a time of increased stress, anxiety and depression for others. Feelings of depression and anxiety affect many people during the holiday season and not just those with a mental health diagnosis.
Many factors play a role in the increase in holiday depression. Between stressful end of year deadlines, family dysfunction and loss, poor eating and drinking habits, and increasingly cold and dark winter days, it is easy for the holiday season to feel less merry and bright and more bah humbug. There are things you can do to decrease or avoid risk factors that may contribute to an increase in holiday stress.
Set realistic expectations
It is important manage expectations, especially during the holidays. Hoping for a picture-perfect White Christmas holiday is setting you up for not only disappointment, but also potentially depression. Do not get hung up on how the holidays are supposed to be and how you are supposed to feel. If you are comparing your holidays to some abstract greeting card ideal, you will always come up short. Being mindful of what you do have to be thankful for can help combat feelings of deficiency. Realizing that the holidays do end and taking stock in what you are grateful for is probably the best antidote against holiday depression.
Don’t slack on self-care
The holiday season tends to be the busiest time of the year, as the calendar gets full with social obligations, and the routines that usually keeps us happy and healthy are typically the first thing to go by the wayside. In addition to increased stress, eating poorly and drinking excessively can also exacerbate issues like anxiety and depression. While it may be a challenge, it is important to try to stick to your normal routine as much as possible during the holidays. Continue to exercise, eat sensibly and try not to overindulge in alcohol. Remember alcohol is a depressant and overusing or abusing it can lead to an increase in feelings of depression and anxiety.
Stick to a budget--It’s the thought that counts
The costs of holiday shopping can mount quickly and can make people feel out of control and anxious. Drawing up a budget before you start shopping can help alleviate some of those feelings. It can also be overwhelming trying to pick out the perfect gift especially when you are trying to stick to a budget, but remind yourself that finding the perfect gift is not as important as the intent behind the gift; that you are thinking of someone and want him or her to know it. If all else fails, you can never go wrong with a gift certificate.
These tips can help decrease or possibly eliminate the feelings of depression and anxiety related to the holidays. However, if your symptoms become more severe and include changes in functioning, changes in eating or sleeping habits, suicidal thinking, or continue long after the holidays are over, it may indicate that you need to seek help from a mental health professional. Your EAP is an excellent resource for finding you the help you need.
Reference
10 Practical Tips for Relieving Holiday Depression-www.everydayhealth.com
Holiday Depression, Anxiety and Stress-www.MedicineNet.com
Holiday Depression-www.Healthline.com
Holiday Depression and Stress-www.mhawisconsin.org
25 Ways to Find Joy and Balance During the Holidays-www.webmd.com
Stress, Depression and the Holidays: Tips for Coping-www.mayoclinic.org
Why we get Depressed at the Holidays, And how to Deal-www.huffingtonpost.com