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The holiday season is a time full of joy, cheer, parties, and
family gatherings. However, for many people, it is a time of
self-evaluation, loneliness, reflection on past failures, and
anxiety about an uncertain future
What Causes Holiday
Blues?
Many factors can cause the �holiday blues�: stress, fatigue,
unrealistic expectations, over-commercialization, financial
constraints, and the inability to be with one�s family and friends.
The demands of shopping, parties, family reunions, and house guests
also contribute to feelings of tension. People who do not become
depressed may develop other stress responses, such as: headaches,
excessive drinking, over-eating, and difficulty sleeping. Even more
people experience post-holiday let down after January 1. This can
result from disappointments during the preceding months compounded
with the excess fatigue and stress.
Coping with Stress and Depression
During the Holidays
- Keep expectations for the holiday season manageable. Try to set
realistic goals for yourself. Pace yourself. Organize your time.
Make a list and prioritize the important activities. Be realistic
about what you can and cannot do. Do not put entire focus on just
one day (i.e., Thanksgiving Day) remember it is a season of holiday
sentiment and activities can be spread out (time-wise) to lessen
stress and increase enjoyment.
- Remember the holiday season does not banish reasons for feeling
sad or lonely; there is room for these feelings to be present, even
if the person chooses not to express them.
- Leave �yesteryear� in the past and look toward the future. Life
brings changes. Each season is different and can be enjoyed in its
own way. Don�t set yourself up in comparing today with the �good
ol� days.�
- Do something for someone else. Try volunteering some time to
help others.
- Enjoy activities that are free, such as driving around to look
at holiday decorations; going window shopping without buying;
making a snowperson with children.
- Be aware that excessive drinking will only increase your
feelings of depression.
- Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way.
- Spend time with supportive and caring people. Reach out and
make new friends or contact someone you have not heard from for
awhile.
- Save time for yourself! Recharge your batteries! Let others
share responsibility of activities.
Can Environment Be a
Factor?
Recent studies show that some people suffer from seasonal
affective disorder (SAD) which results from fewer hours of sunlight
as the days grow shorter during the winter months. Phototherapy, a
treatment involving a few hours of exposure to intense light, is
effective in relieving depressive symptoms in patients with
SAD.
Other studies on the benefits of phototherapy found that
exposure to early morning sunlight was effective in relieving
seasonal depression. Recent findings, however, suggest that
patients respond equally well to phototherapy whether it is
scheduled in the early afternoon. This has practical applications
for antidepressant treatment since it allows the use of
phototherapy in the workplace as well as the home.
For More Information:
Contact your local Mental Health Association, community mental
health center, or:
National Mental Health
Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone 703/684-7722
Fax 703/684-5968
Mental Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA
TTY Line 800/433-5959
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