Coping with Holiday Blues

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. However, for many people it can be a very challenging and emotionally strenuous period of time. Holiday depression, or the holiday blues, affects a multitude of people for a wide variety of reasons. Oftentimes the expectations that come with the holidays can reinforce feelings of loneliness, stress, and depression. Here are some strategies to help you, or your loved ones, cope around this time of the year.

Acknowledge Your Feelings

• Remind yourself it is okay to feel sad, lonely, or stressed around the holidays. There is often a pressure to feel grateful and joyous given the season, but it is completely normal to feel down and you should allow yourself to feel these emotions. 

Reach Out for Support

• Isolation can exacerbate the feelings of loneliness that come with the holiday blues. Despite how challenging it may feel, try to connect with supportive and caring friends and family that will uplift you during this time. 

Manage Expectations

• A large part of holiday depression is the unrealistic expectations. Whether you are a teen wishing for the same magic of the holidays you used to feel as a child, or a parent trying their hardest to replicate it, remember that the picture perfect family in the commercials sets unrealistic expectations. The thing that matters more is the quality time you get and the memories you can make. 

Establish a Budget

• Within the realm of realistic expectations, financial stress often peaks during the holidays. Creating a budget that takes into account your spending limits for gifts, decor, travel, etc. can help navigate the stress that comes with the time of year. 

Create New Traditions

• For those who have lost loved ones, or have unhealthy relationships with family members, the holidays serve as a brutal reminder of what they have lost. It can be helpful to create new rituals or traditions that start fresh and can help you adapt to the holiday season and look forward to new beginnings and more joy.