When I was a kid, every Christmas, I would listen to the same Christmas cassette over and over again. It wasn’t a typical Christmas album. It was a free gift from a carton of cigarettes my mother had purchased. I’m not sure if cigarette companies still do this, but this was in the 90’s, so free gifts were common for chain smokers. The songs on these cassettes were classic songs sung by unknown artists. My favorite song on this cassette was Blue Christmas, which was sung by an unknown country singer. Unlike the original by Elvis Presley, this one was sung by a woman whose voice made me feel the sadness and the pain of being without a loved one for the holiday season. Many times throughout my life, I have felt that pain and sorrow and sung the song to myself, which somehow brings me comfort.
I know I’m not the only one who has these feelings at this time of year when we are told we are supposed to be the happiest. Research has shown that 38% of the population has symptoms of depression during the holidays for a variety of reasons. Some are mourning the loss of loved ones, struggling financially, or navigating family dynamics. Some ways that can help deal with the blues during the holiday:
- Be kind to yourself: Don’t feel pressured always to be jolly. You can give yourself time and space to feel some of the not-so-happy holiday spirit. Have realistic expectations of yourself.
- Stay connected: Many people isolate themselves when feeling down or depressed. Make it a point to be around others: meet a neighbor for coffee, attend a yoga class or workshop at the local library, or do something else. We are naturally social creatures, and being around others, even briefly, can be good for mental health.
- Do something for someone else: Remember, you are probably not the only one struggling with the holiday blues, so reaching out and doing something else for someone else can make a huge impact on them. It can be as small as buying someone a coffee or offering to walk someone’s dog. Speaking of dogs, doing something nice for the animals can also help you feel good. Contact a local shelter to see if they need help or donations. Maybe they need towels or blankets you have around the house, which you can donate.
- Healthy body: It can be tempting to indulge in all the food, seats, and alcohol during the season, but it will be necessary to keep your eating and drinking in check. Also, it is essential to move your body. The winter months can be difficult to get out and exercise, but you can be creative and do different activities in the house, such as bed yoga or 2 minutes body movement actions throughout the day. Here is an excellent IG account to follow for some ideas: Click here
- Seek help: For some, they are experiencing more than the holiday blues, but are actually experiencing symptoms of major depression. The symptoms can include:
- Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
- Angry outbursts, irritability, or frustration, even over small matters
- Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies, or sports
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
- Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
- Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
- Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
- Slowed thinking, speaking, or body movements
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
- Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things
- Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or suicide
- Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
If you are experiencing these symptoms or even just feeling a little blue, seeing a professional for help can make a world of difference. If you are interested in speaking with someone, please contact us here.
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