Surviving Holiday Blues Depression

Part 1 of this series discussed how the Christmas holiday is expected to be a joyful time of year, dedicated to togetherness and gift giving. Yet, the season can be dampened by several factors that contribute to a less satisfying and unproductive experience (Surviving Holiday Blues: When the Season is Not so Merry). Part 2  continues to identify and help to resolve the underlying reasons for holiday blues depression, thus leading to a more enjoyable and productive Christmas.

Fighting Holiday Blues Depression

1.    Feeling Trampled By Time

The holidays are steadily creeping up.  You may have found yourself handling much more than you are capable of managing. Perhaps you need to fulfill a work deadline, work on home projects that you would like to complete before the twenty-fifth, or juggle several different responsibilities simultaneously. Whatever the reason, the stress of having to do much more than you can feasibly handle can ruin the spirit of the holidays. Your tireless efforts will likely lead to exhaustion, which will undoubtedly reduce your energy levels, and leave you feeling sluggish and devoid of seasonal glee.

Finding a Resolution

Piling too much on your plate can be a recipe for disaster, which will ultimately lead to unnecessary stress, anxiety.  You may even begin to experience holiday blues depression. To prevent this, you should decide what activities are essential and the ways in which they can be completed quickly and effectively.

• Put your focus first on the things that matter most: prioritize.
• Create an action-oriented to-do list, limit procrastination and fulfill important commitments.
• Get enough sleep. Do not starve yourself of rest during this hectic period. When you are more rested you are less likely to make mistakes and more likely to produce high-quality work.
• Make time for introspection and/or meditation. This will help to release anxiety, improve your focus and prepare you mentally for the work ahead.

2.    Increased Alcohol Consumption

The joy of Christmas is not far removed from the joy of “the sauce” for many during the holidays. Relishing the flavor of distilled spirits is often encouraged during the season in the form of delectable desserts or traditional alcoholic beverages. While an occasional glass of eggnog will be fairly innocuous, the depressive effects of imbibing alcohol should not be ignored. If you are prone to depression, your intake of alcohol will increase those feelings, especially if the amounts are excessive and frequent. Though the initial buzz that can be derived from alcohol is quite pleasurable the after effects can dampen your mood and in extreme cases cause feelings of suicide.

Finding a Resolution

Limit your drinking to no more than twice per week. Avoid drinking stronger alcoholic beverages like vodka, whiskey, and rum. Instead opt for lighter percentages in the form of beers, wines, and champagne.  If possible completely restrict your alcohol intake over the holiday period.

3.    Decreased Activity/ Low-Levels of Sunshine

The summer months are often associated with increased activity, especially in temperate regions where seasonal changes are distinct. As it gets colder people are less likely to go outside and less likely to indulge in modest forms of exercise. These cumulative factors may lead to vitamin D deficiency and lowered levels of endorphins, the body’s natural mood-enhancing chemicals. As a result, you are left more susceptible to feelings of sadness and holiday blues depression.

Finding a Resolution

• Stock up on vitamin D and begin taking them at least every other day during the wintry months.
• Aim to exercise at least twice weekly doing activities that can easily be confined to an indoor setting like aerobics or walking on a treadmill.
• When it is not too cold, immerse yourself in early morning sunshine even if only for fifteen minutes daily; your vitamin D levels will improve and you will feel reinvigorated.
• Employ a few relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing to clear your mind and reduce your levels of anxiety.
• Limit your intake of sugary foods which though appetizing will increase your risk for depression after the short-lived energy boost.

Understanding the possible reasons for holiday malaise (holiday blues depression) is important when seeking a resolution that will help make the season far more enjoyable or at the very least more tolerable and productive. Knowing that these are perfectly legitimate feelings to have also makes it far easier to cope with this struggle. Do not simply put on a brave face to please others. Take the time out to evaluate and improve your situation through introspection and making worthwhile changes.  If you find that your level of depression is unbearable consider contacting a counselor.

Read Also:

Surviving Holiday Blues: When the Season is Not so Merry