Signs of Holiday Depression and How to Cope

This is your Professional Sista, Marsha C  McLean for a Mental Health Moment. The holidays can be a stressful time for many people. When you are unable to come see your family because of work obligations, are in a difficult financial situation or don't have anyone to get together with, holiday depression can be incredibly difficult to cope with. 

Everyone gets sad sometimes. We are human and experience a wide range of emotions. However when this sadness is prolonged and is something that makes you feel like you are underwater, this is when it is a sign of something more serious.

 SIGNS OF HOLIDAY DEPRESSION

To identify signs of holiday depression to see whether you are grappling with it, you can take a look at the list below. If you exhibit one or more of these signs, your next step will be to take action to get out of the rut of holiday depression and bring joy back into your life. 

  • You feel more lethargic and tired than usual. 

  • You are no longer interested in activities and experiences which you used to enjoy. 

  • You have difficulty concentrating at work. 

  • You are withdrawn and unwilling to speak with people that much. 

  • You are acting more impulsively. 

  • You are more irritable. 

WAYS TO COPE AND DEAL WITH HOLIDAY DEPRESSION

There are several ways in which you can deal with the symptoms of holiday depression and raise your spirits out of the depression doldrums. Here are some of the most effective ways to do so: 

  • Get more sleep. Create a routine for yourself that allows you to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night. 

  • Exude gratitude. Focus on and think about things, people and experiences that you are grateful for. 

  • Exercise. Take a walk, jog or run, and don't stop until you feel the mood-boosting endorphins rushing through your body. You can also do a workout at home or the gym. 

  • Eat healthy. You are what you eat, so give yourself the freshest food that is as minimally processed as you can get. Your body and mind need specific nutrients to promote a balanced emotional state. 

  • Stop drinking alcohol. Being categorized as a depressant says it all.

AVOIDING HOLIDAY DEPRESSION GOING FORWARD

Now that you know what the signs of holiday depression are and how to deal with them, you can take what you know to avoid it in the future. When the holidays come up next year, prepare in advance so it doesn't creep up on you. When you take the necessary steps to keep your body and mind in a healthy state of balance, you can give yourself the gift of inner peace and calmness. Take the power into your hands and show holiday depression that it no longer has power over you. 

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~Marsha C. Mclean, LPC, LCAS, CCS

Marsha McLean