Holiday blues are more common then you think and have varying degrees of severity

This time of year the lights are blinking, festive music is on all the airwaves yet not everyone is gleeful.  Seasonal depression is more common than you think, statistics approx. that 14% of Americans experience “ the winter blues”. Together, in very close proximity, Christmas and New Year’s and Hanukkah can engender an overwhelming sense of routine change, precipitating demands and challenging us. Whether it is that you can’t get home for the holidays, or working the end of year craziness, and/or financial stresses arise, all of these can play in. Don’t forget year ending parties, family obligations also can contribute to higher stress levels. Please know you’re not alone. 

If you’re already struggling with depression it’s going to be made even worse.

Watch out for the following to help to recognize depression in yourself and others;

  • simple activities become more difficult, can’t get out of bed, you don’t want to make dinner, don’t want to take a walk
  •  everything is a ‘monumental’ effort, you feel more tired than usual, you lose interest easily
  • you’re having trouble concentrating.

 

I’m going to just quickly list a few things that may help you deal with this: 

  • Don’t think that alcohol will help, actually it is when you should limit alcohol.
  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Learn to say ‘NO’!
  • Be open to new ideas don’t be rigid about exactly what your image of the holiday should be, it is not supposed to be stress generating event
  • Get support from loved ones especially if this is the first holiday without a loved one.  Spend extra time with loved ones
  • Exercise regularly plug in your iPods and take a quick 10-minute walk to get those mood-boosting endorphins released. Do something fun especially if you had recent stress at work or at home or in a motional
  • Don’t overeat! Please en route to gatherings eat some prepared carrot or celery sticks.

Have a Blessed & Healthy Holiday