Beat the Holiday blues
Once again and seemingly out of nowhere, at least for me, the holidays are upon us. For many, this means Christmas, which falls on Monday 25 2017.
The “holiday blues” can stem from a variety of sources, such as current events, personal grief, loneliness, illnesses of all kinds, economic concerns, separation from family members and relationship issues like separation or divorce.
These feelings can easily be exacerbated by stressors, many of which are experienced in this season alone.
Many of us wish — or feel obligated to — host holiday parties, whilst being cajoled into attending those of family, friends and acquaintances. Decorations are beautiful, but someone has to put them up. Not to be forgotten are visits with family members who are only seen once or twice a year and fighting the crowds to find that perfect gift. All of which is compressed into a four to six week block of time.
Holiday blues are different from mental illness, but short-term mental health problems must be taken seriously. They can lead to clinical anxiety and depression.
People already living with mental illness are often affected by the holiday blues. Individuals, families and friends should know symptoms and watch out for each other.
There’s this idea that holiday gatherings with family are supposed to be joyful and stress-free, that’s not the case. Family relationships are complicated.
There are strategies one can follow to minimize the negative aspects of the holiday season
Tips on avoiding holiday blues
Don’t worry about how things should be. There’s a lot of cultural pressure during the holidays, we tend to compare ourselves with these idealized notions of perfect families and perfect holidays. But remember, those other families doubtlessly have their own stressors and ruminations to contend with.
Be realistic. You can’t please everyone the rest of the year, so why try to during the holidays? Saying ‘no,’ whether to gatherings or a present on someone’s wish list that you simply cannot find, can be one of the most challenging parts of the season. But your own mental and physical well-being needs to come first.
Don’t try to be hero. We all have complex family dynamics. Acknowledge them, but also acknowledge that, despite the season’s near-universal message of unity and peace, it’s not a realistic outlook. If you must spend time with these people, try to limit your exposure.
Volunteer. Volunteering can be a great source of comfort, simply knowing that you’re making a small dent in the lives of people who are not as fortunate. This is a great strategy if you feel lonely or isolated. Consider seeking out other community, religious or other social events.
Keep your own well-being in mind. Yes, the holidays are technically the season of giving. But that doesn’t mean you should take yourself completely out of the equation — instead, add yourself to it. Give yourself some time away from the hype, even if it’s just for half an hour a day. Exercise can also help, with its known anti-anxiety, anti-depression effect. Even a small amount of exercise, such as parking further from the store, can do much to improve your state of mind.
Give it some thought. Do you really have to do everything on your list? Ask yourself, ‘Why am I doing things that make me miserable? Think about the reasons.
Make sure that the “holiday blues” haven’t become a scapegoat. You could be experiencing Recurrent Depression with Seasonal Pattern (previously known as Seasonal Affective Disorder) or another biological or psychological cause. If these are persistent feelings, make an appointment to see your doctor.
Be patient. Keep expectations low. Inform family in advance of your limits,” said one survey respondent.
If holidays were a special time in the past and you try to recreate a time long gone, you are setting yourself up for sadness, create new memories. Have some fun.
Well, the holidays are indeed here with us, some of us will be taking their leave from work and enjoy this amazing period with family and friends, which is a good thing.
we are in the season of love and sharing, please applaud and do not forget to share this article. From us here at Mental Health Central, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year, 2018!
