Not Feeling Very Jolly? 10 Tips and Tricks to Survive the Holiday Blues
The holiday season — for a variety of reasons — can bring one’s mood plummeting.
With families gathering together, the overall cost of celebrating and the demands of cooking, cleaning, as well as entertaining all have the capability of having extreme time and financial constraints. With this, it is no wonder that stress and depression around the holidays are a typical array of feelings many people experience.
However, with some simple tips, you can help yourself minimize the stress felt during the holiday season. In fact, you may find yourself even enjoying it.
10 Strategies to Combat Seasonal Depression
We’ve all been there. When we are under an insurmountable amount of stress, it is extremely hard for us to stop, regroup, and rationalize.
If the holiday season has taken its toll on you in the past, it’s best to try to get out in front of it before it even begins.
Below are 10 strategies you can use before and during the holiday season to help you cope.
1. Acknowledge How You Feel
The holidays bring out a wide array of emotions. And, for most, we need to express those feelings aptly in order to prevent an outburst.
Whether your intense feelings come from family gatherings, gift-giving, or grief from what used to be, it’s important to express yourself in order to prevent a buildup. If you need space to cry or scream in your personal time, letting it all out ahead of time may help you feel better and allow you to enter the holiday season with a more level head.
2. Reach Out
If you are feeling stressed during the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season, first try reaching out to a trusted friend or family member that you can speak freely with, without judgment.
For those who struggle with holidays due to loneliness or grief, involving yourself in community activities can be beneficial, as well. Various holiday parties (albeit away from any individuals that may be causing you stress), religious events, and even volunteering could help you feel less isolated. Volunteering in particular can make you feel more valuable to your community and bring a sense of belonging and satisfaction.
3. Be Realistic
Have you ever experienced a feeling of disappointment because you once enjoyed yourself beyond measure, only to not have the same experience again? It’s no different with holidays.
For example, maybe last year your politically-charged family all behaved and didn’t bring up politics at all. Everyone spoke kindly to one another and all had a great time. It’s easy to think that the enjoyment would continue, but not always is that the case.
We have to be of the mindset that families, personalities, and beliefs change. Just because there was no drama one year, doesn’t mean there won’t be again. Allowing yourself to know and understand the chances of this occurring can help prevent disappointment ahead of time.
Of course, this can always be reversed! Even if previous gatherings were stressful, it doesn’t automatically mean this year will be, as well.
4. Set Aside Your Differences
Speaking of politics, try your best to come to terms with and accept the fact that not everyone is going to have the same views as you — and that’s okay!
Set aside all of your grievances and discuss a more appropriate time to talk one-on-one if controversial topics are brought up. Moreover, do your best to be understanding if people are not as cool-headed about dropping issues than you are. They may also be experiencing some form of seasonal depression and stress, as well.
5. Stick to Your Budgets
Before you start all of your gift research and purchase plans, collectively decide how much money you are able to spend this holiday season. And then stick to your budget!
A few budget-friendly ideas you could try out include:
Starting a family gift exchange - so that you don’t need to buy for everyone
Give homemade presents, such as their favorite holiday dessert
Donate to one’s favorite cause or charity
6. Plan Everything Ahead of Time
To avoid hectic time constraints, take a look at your calendar well in advance to plan your days for social obligations, shopping, meal prepping, baking, and other activities.
You may also consider shopping online for the sake of convenience and to save valuable time.
7. Learn to Say “No”
We’re all guilty of it. We’ve said “yes” when really the only logical answer seemed to be a resounding “no.”
It can be tough to tell people “no” during the holiday season, especially when it seems to be a universal expectation that you spend time doing things with friends and family while everyone is in town. However, this obligation can easily turn into a hastening resentment and create a sense of overwhelm.
There comes a time when we need to put our well being first. You do not owe everyone an explanation, but simply letting your loved ones know that you are spread too thin is a reasonable excuse that most everyone understands.
8. Don’t Abandon Your Healthy Habits
Overindulgence is more than capable of creating additional stress and guilt than what is common during the holidays.
Give these suggestions a try this season:
If you’re cooking, try healthy replacements. Not necessarily full meals or dishes. It can be as simple as a few ingredients.
Try eating a healthy, filling snack before you sit down and eat a full holiday meal. This will help you to not go overboard with the sweets and drinks.
Get plenty of rest. Do your best to not stay up late drinking and celebrating.
Do deep breathing exercises to help lower your stress levels.
Avoid excessive drinking, smoking, or drug use.
Stay aware of how our current information culture can get out of hand. Cautiously avoid friends and families discussing triggering topics.
9. Give Yourself a Breather
Social overload can be too much to bear for some people. That’s why, during this time of many gatherings, you create some time for yourself and self-care.
Even spending a few moments alone beforehand (or even during) may refresh and clear your mind enough to handle everything gracefully.
10. Seek Out Professional Help
Despite trying your hardest, you may still find it difficult to combat the stress, anxiety, or depression of the holiday season. If these feelings are overwhelming you to the point of extreme sadness, poor appetite, and lack of sleep, you might consider visiting a professional to guide you through this stressful time. (Reference 1)
Seasonal or Chronic Depression?
Depression can easily escalate into something more sinister, including suicidal ideation. However, is your patient’s feeling of overwhelming sadness a seasonal bout of depression or a chronic issue?
At MHT, we have a renowned diagnostic tool that can help physicians determine the severity of one’s depression, anxiety, or other mental illness.
If your patient answers any question that would set off alarm bells, you are notified right away to ensure that the patient is safe and taken care of.
Click here t0 speak with one of our highly-knowledgeable representatives today. Let us give you and your patients the peace of mind you both deserve.
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