Did you know that depression is more common than AIDS, cancer, and diabetes combined?
Holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, but many people dread the festive season. Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health, but being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression. Sadness is truly a personal feeling. What makes one person feel sad may not affect another.
Although depression may occur at any time of the year, the stress and anxiety of the holiday season may cause even those who are usually content to experience loneliness and a lack of fulfillment. Some people who suffer from symptoms of depression during the winter months, maybe suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and should seek professional help.
These may cause holiday sadness:
- Loss of a loved one
- Stress and fatigue
- Unrealistic expectations
- Over-commercialization
- Financial pressures
- Too many commitments
- Not able to be with family and friends
- Images of smiling families and friends
- Family dysfunction
- Poor eating and drinking habits
Depression has long been associated with stigma and shame and many people still incorrectly consider depression a sign of personal weakness. People who are lonely or have feelings of disconnectedness may choose not to seek help because they fear isolation and discrimination. Unfortunately, avoiding social interactions and withdrawing at holiday time often exacerbate the feelings of loneliness and symptoms of depression.
Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression:
- Acknowledge your feelings. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season.
- Reach out. Seek help. Volunteering your time to help others is also a good way to lift your spirits.
- Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect or be “just like last year”. Be open to new ways of celebrating, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos.
- Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all of your expectations. Chances are they’re also feeling the effects of holiday stress.
- Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget.
- Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.
- Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed.
- Don’t abandon healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt.
- Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress and clears your mind and restore your inner calm.
- Don’t compare your insides to someone else’s outsides. Both in real life and on social media, it can be difficult to avoid comparing yourself with others around Christmastime. Don’t label yourself. Create your own memories.
In society today, Christmas time has become a difficult time for many people and the holidays a painful reminder of what once was. This time of year can be especially tough for people who have experienced a significant loss or a break-up. Those of us who don’t have difficulties at this time of year have the opportunity to reach out to someone who is sad or lonely.
Holiday Bill of Rights (by Mental Health America)
You have the right to…
- Take care of yourself.
- Feel mixed up emotions around the holidays.
- Spend time alone thinking, reflecting and relaxing.
- Say “no” to party invitations.
- Ask for help and support from family, friends and community service agencies.
- Say “no” to alcohol, drugs…and seconds on dessert.
- NOT to ride with a drunk driver, to take their keys away and to call a taxi for them.
- Give gifts that are within your holiday budget.
- Smile at angry sales people and/or rude drivers and give them a piece of your mind.
- Enjoy your holiday the way you want.
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To Your Success,
Althea
Althea A. McLeish Wilson, RN, MSN
Educate . Empower . Encourage
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