Overcoming the Holiday Blues
The holiday season is upon us. It is a wonderful time of year for some, full of family friends and fun. For others, the holidays are reminders of sad memories, forgotten promises, stressful work days and intrusive family events. Accepting that you may not feel cheerful despite the holiday commercials, music and glee can be difficult. It’s important to know that your feelings are valid and okay to have.
This feeling is often called the Holiday Blues. The Holiday Blues are temporary signs of depression or anxiety. You are not alone on how you feel. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 64% of those surveyed reported they have experienced Holiday Blues and 24% say they are very affected by Holiday Blues.
What are some symptoms of the Holiday Blues? Per NAMI, you might experience irritability, sadness, a sense of loss, loneliness, fatigue, stress, and feelings of isolation. If you are facing any of these symptoms they are serious and should not be ignored. Here is what you can do to ward off the Holiday Blues.
• Use your coping strategies to relax
• Get enough sleep*
• Make a to-do list*
• Acknowledge your feelings
• Seek professional support
• Have consistent therapy sessions
• Limit your drinking*
• Set a budget to manage spending*
• Get exercise
• Set realistic expectations for yourself and your holiday plans*
• Socialize; volunteer, friend groups, social events or religious events*
*Some suggestions courtesy of the NAMI and Mayo Clinic
It is important to know that the Holiday Blues is a treatable and temporary condition. The season will soon be over and so may these feelings. Remember to restore your emotional balance by focusing on one day at a time. "This too shall pass."
By: Jasmin Walker, MA. LCPC
November 19, 2018
References
NAMI. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/November-2015/Tips-for-Managing-the-Holiday-Blues
Tips for coping with holiday stress. (2017, September 16). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/stress/art-20047544/in-depth/art-20047544
This feeling is often called the Holiday Blues. The Holiday Blues are temporary signs of depression or anxiety. You are not alone on how you feel. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 64% of those surveyed reported they have experienced Holiday Blues and 24% say they are very affected by Holiday Blues.
What are some symptoms of the Holiday Blues? Per NAMI, you might experience irritability, sadness, a sense of loss, loneliness, fatigue, stress, and feelings of isolation. If you are facing any of these symptoms they are serious and should not be ignored. Here is what you can do to ward off the Holiday Blues.
• Use your coping strategies to relax
• Get enough sleep*
• Make a to-do list*
• Acknowledge your feelings
• Seek professional support
• Have consistent therapy sessions
• Limit your drinking*
• Set a budget to manage spending*
• Get exercise
• Set realistic expectations for yourself and your holiday plans*
• Socialize; volunteer, friend groups, social events or religious events*
*Some suggestions courtesy of the NAMI and Mayo Clinic
It is important to know that the Holiday Blues is a treatable and temporary condition. The season will soon be over and so may these feelings. Remember to restore your emotional balance by focusing on one day at a time. "This too shall pass."
By: Jasmin Walker, MA. LCPC
November 19, 2018
References
NAMI. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/November-2015/Tips-for-Managing-the-Holiday-Blues
Tips for coping with holiday stress. (2017, September 16). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/stress/art-20047544/in-depth/art-20047544