5 Fantastic Ways to Beat the Holiday Depression
With the holidays approaching many people are subject to holiday depression. There are many reasons people get depressed during the holidays. The following outlines some things you can do to beat the holiday depression.
1.) Celebrate your Lost Loved Ones
Find a way to celebrate your lost loved one(s). What did you do when you celebrated with your loved one when he/she was alive? Is there something special that your loved one liked to do during the holidays? Maybe you could still do this in memory of him/her.
2.) Take Care of your Physical Well Being
During the holidays there are a lot of temptations to consume exorbitant amounts of holiday sweets and alcohol. Make sure during this time you eat and drink in moderation and remain physically active throughout the holiday season. This doesn’t mean you have to kick up your workouts. Just make sure you move every day. Even a simple walk around the block keeps you physically and emotionally fit.
3.) Have an Attitude of Gratitude
Being grateful has been proven to keep you in a positive mindset. Count your blessings this holiday season. There is always somebody that is worse off than you and there is always something to be grateful for. Keep a daily gratitude journal and every day write down things that you are grateful for.
4.) Talk it out with Someone
If you have a therapist, talk out your holiday sadness with him/her. And talk to a good friend about your disappointments this holiday season. Just getting your frustrations and challenges out of your system helps improve your mood.
5.) Have Realistic Expectations of the Holidays
It’s easy to look at other families and wish that you had what they had. Maybe your family has never been close and it just gets exaggerated in your head during the holidays. It’s hard to not get disappointed that you have to spend another holiday without family and friends, especially if you have lost your loved one(s). Be realistic about what the holidays will bring to your life and go back to #1 to #4 if you are still struggling.
What are your hopes and fears this holiday season?
Are the holidays playing out how you want them to or are you experiencing holiday depression? What can you realistically hope for this holiday season? Feel free to comment below.
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5 Comments
Madi
These are such important tips, Mary. The holidays can be so mentally draining at times. Thank you for sharing these.
kiddmaryk@gmail.com
Thanks, Madi, for reading and your comments!
Kimberly
This holiday season is like none other. It is depressing. I won’t be able to see my children this year. They all live in different states, all of which have travel restrictions. If they choose to visit, they lose 2 weeks’ pay in order to quarantine for “voluntary travel”. Imagine, not seeing your children for over 6 months at a clip. I never in my life thought that would happen. It’s not like they are thousands of miles away. My son only lives a couple of hours away but in another state. The same with one of my daughters. It’s just plain awful. Thanks for listening.
kiddmaryk@gmail.com
I am so sorry you won’t be able to see your kids for Christmas. That sucks! Is there anything you can do to make your Christmas halfway enjoyable?
Karen Mary
What a thoughtful post. I especially appreciate the first tip, to celebrate loved ones we are missing!