Christmas Holidays Depression
You might have made it through Christmas with a smile painted on your face, but the double header of Christmas and New Years can be a real challenge, especially when everyone else seems to be full of good cheer and merriment. What can you do when the rest of the world is sparkling in red and green and you just feel blue?
The first step is to acknowledge that you are not a Scrooge and are not alone in your feelings. It is very common for people to experience the “holiday blues”. Secondly, don’t be too hard on yourself about how you are feeling. Show yourself some kindness and love. Finally, take a few minutes to read below some of the major causes and remedies for the blues this Christmas season:
Loneliness
For those who live alone or don’t have a partner or family nearby, the holidays can be tough and terribly lonely. Whilst they may long for some company, lonely people may find themselves isolating even further, which enhances the problem.
Remedies:
Try to avoid the temptation to stay home alone and hunker down. Get out and get moving even if it is just for a short trip to your favorite shop or café. Your goal is to be in the company of others and even a short conversation or smile can lift your mood.
Explore new ways of occupying your time so that you don’t dwell on the loneliness. Trauma expert Ross Rosenberg of Clinical Care Consultants in Arlington Heights, IL. recommends booking a tour and seeing more of the city that you live in. Volunteer at an animal shelter or food bank so that you can keep your spirit engaged and uplifted.
Telephone a friend who might also be feeling like you. “Take a chance,” suggests Rosenberg. “Let yourself feel the pleasure of connection without the fear of rejection.” You may find that your friend is happy to spend some time with you or have a chat.
Loss
If you have lost a loved one, the festive season can be especially hard. Being merry or happy over the holidays may lead to you feeling guilty or disrespectful to their memory.
Remedies:
We all experience an element of survivor guilt but that it is important not to let expectations about how you should feel dictate how you actually feel. We respect those who are not with us not only by mourning but by also remembering the good times we had together. A good reminder is that they would appreciate our smile more than our tears.
Although there is no need to feel guilt, it is fine to acknowledge your sadness and tell others that you are missing your loved one.
Missing Holidays Past
One central part of the holidays are the memories and traditions that we carry through the years. If your life is not living up to expectations, you may find yourself longing for a time when you were happier in the past. Whilst reminiscing is great, dwelling on the past can hamper the present moments.
Remedies:
Have a think about what new traditions you would like to create. There are no set rules about how your holiday should look. If you are concerned that the old traditions will make you feel sad, why not reinvent them?
If your home feels too difficult to spend the holidays in, allow yourself permission to visit somewhere new that doesn’t hold any new memories. Go and stay with a friend, book a hotel in another town, buy yourself a present and enjoy the anonymous peace.
The main thing to remember when tackling the holiday blues is to stay true to who you are without the need for any excuses, especially towards yourself. This may mean saying yes to social events but accepting that you can leave if needed. It will mean respecting your own boundaries without giving in to isolation, and to allow yourself to be as happy as you can. Ultimately, this means recognizing and showing gratitude for all of the little moments of joy in your life. And should you want to talk about it, let’s have a chat!
Warm wishes for a holiday season full of gratitude of who you have become!