Managing Stress and Depression During the Holidays

It’s such a great time of year right now.  With Thanksgiving out of the way and Christmas and Hanukkah just around the corner, it’s a time when many people regroup and focus their energies on being both grateful for what they have and generous toward those less fortunate.  It’s also the time of year when many people experience an uptick in stress and depression.  If this is you, here are a few tips to help you get through this holiday season.

Allow yourself to feel what you’re feeling

If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, the holidays can be especially hard.  Sometimes, one of the best things you can do for yourself is reduce or remove the pressure to “act happy.”  If you experience sadness, try acknowledging that feeling and sitting with it for a while without judgment.  Then, if and when you’re ready, allow yourself to move on to something else.

Manage your expectations

Part of what it means to be human is that we can never be perfect.  Release yourself (and your family) from that expectation.  If you can, you will definitely find yourself less stressed out and more able to enjoy the beauty in the time you get to share with your loved ones this season.

Manage your spending 

Part of managing your expectations means being realistic with what you can afford to spend.  If you want to give more, remember that homemade gifts can be great (cookies, anyone?), but even those aren’t really necessary: everyone spending time together is a present in and of itself.

Connect with your loved ones

If you start to feel sad or overwhelmed, it can be tempting to stay under the covers and make excuses to stay home, but tempting as it is, it’s not likely to help your mood.  Please try to find a way to interact with people who love and support you, even if that’s just through a phone call or even a text.  It will likely make a big difference.

Plan ahead! 

If you have a lot going on and lack of planning stresses you out, then take the time to make a list and schedule tasks on a calendar.  While you’re at it, go ahead and pencil in some time for self-care.  It will help reduce stress, and with all the stress of the holidays, you definitely deserve.