Experiencing the Holiday Blues

This time of year can bring lots of different kinds of emotions.  Some of those emotions include happiness, excitement, and joy, but the holidays can also be stressful. Shopping, social events, debt, and other pressures can lead to anxiety. Missing loved ones and stewing about past events can also contribute to feelings of sadness and depression. The change from your everyday routine can cause you to neglect good nutrition and you are more likely to skip exercise. These, and other factors, can lead us to experience what is referred to as the holiday blues.

The holiday blues are defined as temporary feelings of anxiety, depression, sadness, loneliness, and other negative emotions. Many individuals with already diagnosed mental illnesses are affected by the holiday blues as their normal symptoms worsen during this time of year, but even those without regularly occurring mental health challenges can experience the holiday blues. While they sometimes can’t be avoided, there are some skills that we can implement to make things a little bit easier on us.  Here are some tips to help you with them:

• Talk to someone: Reach out to a friend or family member, or consider therapy if you're already in it. 
• Take a break: Set realistic goals and expectations, and don't overextend yourself. 
• Get outside: Go for a walk in the morning or evening to get some fresh air and sunlight. 
• Practice mindfulness: Try meditation or other mindfulness techniques. 
• Limit alcohol: Excessive drinking can make you feel worse. 
• Volunteer: Helping others can improve your mood. 
• Be kind to yourself: It's okay to feel sad or lost during the holidays. 
• Celebrate differently: Try to celebrate in a new way, or focus on what's meaningful to you. 
• Stick to your routine: Try to maintain your normal routine as much as possible. 
• Set a budget: Set a realistic budget and stick to it. 
• Find time for yourself: Make time for yourself every day. 
• Avoid toxic people: Don't spend time with people who add to your stress.

Remember that the holiday blues are short-term.  While many of us experience them, they will pass and you will start to notice increased energy, motivation, and desire to go back to regular routines.  Be patient with yourself and if don’t you notice a change in your mood state after the holidays have passed, talk to a trusted friend and seek help as needed.  

Megann Wilkerson, LCSW

Photo by cottonbro studio at Pexels.com