Coping with Christmas/Holiday Blues
The holidays may be a joyful time of year for people but for many people, depression and the holidays go hand in hand. This time can be triggering for some people because of “memories of lost loved ones, and with that, a sense of yearning or aching to be with them," along with "too high or unrealistic expectations for what things 'should happen ' or 'must happen.' This is what is described as the Christmas or Holiday Blues* and it’s quite common.
Signs of the holiday blues include changes in eating and sleeping habits, irritability and fatigue, feeling overwhelmed and stressed, and not experiencing happiness and joy during once pleasurable activities or even feeling anxious or depressed.
Below are some tips on how to cope with the holiday blues*
Accept that you feel the way you do and give yourself a break this holiday season. It’s okay if you do not share the same joy of Christmas as others do. Don’t force yourself to appear to be happy but do what feels natural to you.
Look for ways to release harmful emotions. Reach out.
If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events or communities. 7 Cups is open 24/7 throughout the year; check the community calendar for events.
Follow your routine and don’t abandon healthy habits
Try to exercise at your usual time, go to bed at the same hour, wake up at the same time and eat healthy food.
Volunteering your time to help others is a good way to lift your spirits.
Stick to a budget. Before you do your gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Handmade gifts are unique and can be a wonderful surprise.
Plan ahead. Many things can be prepared well in advance. Avoid putting yourself under pressure by doing things at the “last minute”.
“Say No” if you feel overburdened and get invites you feel nervous about. It's okay to stick to your plans if you feel that you need “me-time.”
Make some time for yourself. No matter how busy and crazy the final days of this year are, find a few moments to be by yourself and just breathe. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do.
Don't let the holidays turn into a time of anxiety and depression. Rather, take precautions against the stress and despair that might set in during the holiday season. Acknowledge your seasonal triggers and learn to cope with them.
Participation question:
What is something you like about Christmas holidays?
What is something you find challenging and what helps you to cope with the challenge?
Helpful resources:
Holiday Blues - How to cope (*)
What are “Holiday Blues” and How to Deal With Them? (*)
Five Steps to Mental Health and a 'Good-Enough' Holiday
Five tips to manage your mental health during the holidays
Helpful Videos:
Seeking Help
If the holiday blues turn into something more serious or if your sadness doesn’t ease after the holidays are over, your symptoms might be a sign of something else.
Please reach out for guided help if you think your symptoms are related to mental health problems.
Are you looking for a therapist? 7 Cups has online, certified therapists with a paid option. For more information on what happens in online therapy at 7 Cups, Read Lisa’s (a therapist and director of therapy) explanation https://www.7cups.com/forum/therapy/General_2432/WeveLaunchedTalkTherapyon7Cups_319430/
To apply for 7 Cups online therapy, click on this link (must be logged into member account) https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/?ob=1
Taglist to therapy online community Coping with Christmas/Holiday Blues
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@amiablePeace77 The hardest for me is not having my mom, ex,and husband with me this Christmas. I know it sounds strange to add my ex but thankfully my husband and I put all differences aside that we had(more so me than anything) and the 3 of us got along very well.
@eternalHero77
I can understand that it hurts not to be with your loved ones! It does not sound strange to add your ex but shows how tolerant and accepting you all were towards each other!
@amiablePeace77 I hear on that. I tho am with the people who asked me what went through my head forgiving him. You see ths is the very man who had he not let go of my neck in the nick of time I wouldnt be here today tellin’ my story. Thing I think that helped save us in some ways is that as long as he was not high we had good communication which after breakin’ up that communication got better but now I was setting boundaries.
@eternalHero77 Friendship is so very important and that is somethin’ my ex and I spoke on..we were not friends b’fore we got in a relationship. We met and 2 weeks later living together. Friendship didnt take place till after the break up.
@amiablePeace77
I look everything about Christmas, the magic, the colour, the lights , spending time with family 💕 💜
The hardest thing is missing loved ones who have passed 💖
@Amanda84
Christmas can bring back so many memories, the times when we were happy to have our loved ones around and it can be hard to deal with the feelings which arise. Please remember that we're here for you to chat and for comfort!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful picture!
Something I like about the Christmas holidays is that I get to relax.
I find it challenging to make time for myself. Praying about all things that are going on in my mind and keeping away distractors can help me in coping with the challenges I face.
@Admirablerainbow2825
Making time for yourself to practise self-care is something I had to learn, and it does help me a lot. I hope you will be able to take some time out for yourself very soon.
@amiablePeace77
What is something you like about Christmas holidays?
Setting up my Christmas Tree. Driving around the city and witnessing Christmas decor.
What is something you find challenging and what helps you to cope with the challenge?
Attention span lately. Eliminating distraction.
@trueconfidant123
Setting up the Christmas tree is one of the best things for me during the holidays! When there is a lot going on in the mind the attention span can be reduced. Does that sound familiar to you?
@amiablePeace77 it does!
@amiablePeace77
What is something you like about Christmas holidays?
Everything that comes bc every year it’s been just good things that come during this time.
What is something you find challenging and what helps you to cope with the challenge?
If we’re specifically talking about things I find challenging during Christmas, what to get someone/some people for Christmas gifts when I was younger was very challenging either bc they seemingly had everything they needed already or bc what I wanted to get them was not available/out of stock in stores.
I’d cope with this challenge by paying for something important they needed like gas or something like that or financially contributing towards an important but expensive payment so they can afford what they needed like a new car, a home, etc.
If we’re talking about any challenges in general that I’ve faced in my life, any challenges that I feel are going to come, that I anticipate coming at some point, or that arise, I make sure to overcome them before they affect or impact me and/or my life. This way I can enjoy my time along with being proud of myself for overcoming all the challenges that I overcame whatever challenges they were.
@akunknown
You seem to face challenges head-on and not let pull you down! 👍Nice that you support the ones in need!
@amiablePeace77
Christmas used to be all about family and traditions. Not any more. Christmas use to feel different. It's just another day now.
I know it's the wrong answer but I grab a bottle and put on some music to forget about it all. (typically some blues)
@courageouspanda2006
No answer is wrong panda! I would wish for you that this Christmas would be nicer. Please remember 7cups is open 24/7 also during the holidays.
@amiablePeace77
I know there are better answers and I only have one or two glasses. They are small glasses. 😁
I drink to take the edge off, not to take me over the edge.
@amiablePeace77 Christmas blues as of right now. Have none. Concentrating On my daughter’s birthday today. Her age Oh My Gosh is making me feel so old. Lol. Christmas shopping all done. I guess I maybe I would be in the Christmas blues which who knows there’s still time b’fore Christmas’s where I still might get it as every year I’ve always had it. For me it would start as early as late October but I think what’s happening now as I continue striving on maintaining optimism with everything in my life not a pick and choose thing that I always did I am choosing this year that those people I love and list rather than get in a depression I know that’s not what they would Wanna for me I take them yet with me now but rather than mourn the loss I celebrate the life we shared. My mom and I and my husband and I. Neither of them chose to be where they are at now. The live between us is still there just that they’re in a different dimension. Celebrate life it helps so much.
