How You and Your Loved Ones Can Fight Seasonal Depression

Posted November 29, 2017

How are you managing those winter time blues?

Winter can be a harsh time of year. The sun is out less, Jack Frost is biting at your nose, and on top of everything else, all you can think about is creating the perfect holiday with your family. It can all be very overwhelming, and takes its toll on your psyche. This is when seasonal depression can come out from hiding. When you’re busy taking care of all your surroundings, you sometimes forget to take care of the most important part–yourself!

However, you’re not alone.

Seasonal depression can occur at any time of the year, but for most it occurs during the winter. The signs of seasonal depression are in line with those of clinical depression: feelings of hopelessness, a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep and appetite, as well as heaviness of limbs, and frequent oversleeping [4]. There are many factors that can contribute to seasonal depression besides the weather. Financial pressure, too much commitment, and overall holiday stress can be key players in feeling less than your best.

Feeling hopeless can also leave you feeling helpless. So it is important to know what you and your loved ones can do to help manage seasonal depression [1].

  1. To start, don’t try to battle it alone; talk to your friends and family and find your support group. Tell them what is going on and talk it out, they might be able to help cheer you up. If you’re grieving this holiday, let your loved ones know and take the time to do so. There is no need for you to hide the fact that you are missing someone, you have every right to feel sad.
  2. If you tend to get seasonal depression every year, then don’t wait, plan ahead so things will run more smoothly and make everything less stressed. One of the worst things that can happen this time of year is a last minute change. Do your best to have as much planned out a possible, but don’t forget to allow for some flexibility if something important does come up.
  3. However, keep in mind that things will not be perfect and that is fine. You don’t have to be Martha Stewart to host a nice holiday your family will love. Your house may not be the brightest on the street, your table may not be the biggest, the dinner might even be a little burnt. The point of the holidays is to enjoy the company you are keeping, so try to focus more on that and worry less about how everything looks.
  4. Do not over commit yourself to more than you can handle. It can be so easy to agree to so many obligations, but it is important to focus on what you need to do for yourself and your family. The holiday bake sale will survive without you if you know you are going to have to stand in line for hours to see Santa with your kid. Making memories is what this time of year is all about, so keep that in mind when making plans.
  5. Don’t forget to stop, take a deep breathe and just remember all the great things you have in your life and how many more good things are to come. When in doubt, turn to your support group, there is always someone there to help you get through this season with a smile!

Learn how to help manage your holiday depression:

  1. http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20550695,00.html#coping-with-depression-1

  2. http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/sad

  3. https://www.medicinenet.com/holiday_depression_and_stress/article.htm

  4. https://www.psycom.net/depression.central.seasonal.html

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