5 Tips For Dealing With Holiday Depression

For many of us, the holiday season can be a magical time of the year. There are festive lights, decorations, family and friend get-togethers, delicious food everywhere and of course children are filled with excitement and so much joy as they prepare to open gifts, however, it may not always be the happiest of holidays for everyone. The holidays can be a significant source of stress and can trigger a significant amount of depression and anxiety for some people. Luckily, there is a way of dealing with that depression and anxiety. Below is a list of ways to deal with that depression, anxiety, and stress through the holidays.

• 1. Accept and Acknowledge

  Acknowledge your feelings. Realize that it’s normal to feel sad and grieve when someone close to you has recently died or you are not able to be with them. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. Don’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holidays. Don’t punish yourself for not feeling celebratory.

• 2. Seek Support

  Lighten your load with a strong support system. Support can come from many places. Friends and families are often the first ones to offer support, while others seek it out in a community or religious group. Seeking professional help can also be very useful, especially when the stress begins to turn into a serious mental health issue. Reach out to your local therapist if need be.

• 3. Make a Budget

  During the holidays, financial strain is one of the leading causes of stress. The most effective way to alleviate holiday shopping and expense stress is to create a budget at the beginning of the season. By doing so this helps prevent accidental overspending and ensures reasonable expectations. 

• 4. Manage Your Expectations

   Set realistic goals. Keep expectations for the holiday season manageable. Do not try to make the holiday “the best,” every time. Pace yourself. Make a list, organize your time, and prioritize your tasks.

• 5. Volunteer

  As we all know, he holidays are usually a very busy time. Although it may sound cliché, doing something for someone else may give you a different perspective for the holidays. Remember it doesn’t have to be over the top, during the holidays every little bit counts. It can be as simple as wrapping presents for a charity fundraiser or serving a meal at a community center. What ever makes you happy inside.