Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year all happen within the course of 6 weeks, and the ushering in of glad tidings with great joy can also bring a flurry of depression. If the holiday trifecta this time of year has left you or a member of your family feeling blue, you are not alone. Holiday Depression can strike for any myriad of reasons, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) states that 64% of people who struggle with a mental illness such as anxiety or depression find their conditions harder to cope with around the holidays.
The holidays are full of triggers which can intensify stressors, and Holiday Depression is essentially the same as depression, just with a holiday bent. The symptoms of the Holiday Blues include excessive exhaustion, little motivation or ambition to do basic daily activities including the activities of the season, loss of interest in things that used to make you happy, poor sleep, and extreme sadness.
The Holiday Blues trigger stress, depression, and anxiety for multiple reasons, and one of the best ways to deal with your Holiday Blues is to first acknowledge and define it. Admitting to yourself that you’re not yourself, and understanding what is triggering your Holiday Depression will bring you one step closer to finding comfort. As we go through some causes and remedies below, remember that the best method to navigating the Holiday Blues is to stay true to yourself.
What Causes Or Triggers The Holiday Blues?
Below are the most common causes that trigger Holiday Depression:
Loneliness And Loss
If your family lives far away, if you are a single Mom, if you won’t be home for Christmas, or if you lost a loved one around this time of year in the past, then you are susceptible to experiencing the Holiday Blues. Note that “loss” does not need to be a person. Childhood memories and happy traditions can be a huge part of what ushers in the holiday spirit, and as a result, loss can also be experienced from missing holidays past. If you don’t feel as though you are thriving in your personal life, then you can easily find yourself longing for the bliss of the past at the cost of the potential for happiness in the present.
How To Work Through Holiday Loneliness And Holiday Loss
Financial Strain
Financial strain is a very real stress factor this time of year. Unfortunately, there is so much pressure around the holidays to have the latest decorations, all the new “stuff”, just the right gift, and all the best food and clothes. My advice is to reject materialism. The holidays are not about the clothes, decorations, or the stuff. It is about taking time to honor the most important people and feelings in your life, and that need not cost a lot of money.
How To Work Through Holiday Financial Strain:
Unrealistic Expectations + Too Many Social Interactions = General Holiday Stress
The pressure most mothers put on themselves to provide the best holiday possible for their children can leave them completely stressed. Especially if you or your child struggle with anxiety, too many social interactions can leave you both feeling drained and exhausted. As a result, the holidays are often the most wonderful time – and the most stressful time – of the year. Here are a few tips for navigating the stress of the season.
The Bottom Line
The Holiday Blues is not a permanent condition, but any type of depression – whether it is short term or long term – must be taken seriously as it could develop into a chronic condition if not supported appropriately. If you are a woman who struggles with depression or anxiety, I encourage you to be extra kind to yourself this holiday season. Feel your feelings. Figure out what you need, and then work through them. Also, know that you do not have to work through them alone.
Do you or your child need more support?
If you or your child are struggling with Holiday Anxiety or Holiday Depression, give the gift of support this year. Find a qualified mental health provider in our directory.
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