Holidays and Depression

Many people are prone to feeling depressed or down during the holidays.

Periods of sunlight are shorter, stress levels rise, family and relationship dynamics come to the forefront, and feelings of isolation and loneliness can be heightened.

You’re not alone if you’re not reveling in holiday cheer. There’s even a term for temporary anxiety and depression around the holidays: “the holiday blues.” Wintertime can also trigger seasonal affective disorder.

If you’re struggling, try to incorporate these strategies:

• Stay active
• Go outdoors, get sunlight
• Reach out to trusted friends
• Volunteer and help others
• Journal
• Meditation and breathwork

These tools are helpful but don’t always work on their own.

Be sure to reach out, seek therapy and professional help, take appropriate medication, and know these helpful resources to get through the dark days.

Resources:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 800-950-6264
Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 988
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK