The holidays can be a prime time to feel depressed, overwhelmed. According to Psychology Today:
“According to the National Institute of Health, Christmas is the time of year that people experience a high incidence of depression. Psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health professionals report a significant increase in patients complaining about depression. One North American survey reported that 45% of respondents dreaded the festive season.
So what can you do this year to lift your spirits?
- Create a holiday of your making. People often feel powerless during the holidays. Plans are made and you’re sandwiched into them, whether you want to be or not. While it might be able to ditch that big family holiday dinner, you could design the rest of the day to be just the way you want it, even if that means sleeping in or binge watching Netflix.
- Get sunlight, get outdoors. There’s a practical reason people are often depressed during the holiday: there’s simply not as much sunlight. Make sure you maximize your outdoor time, even if its cold outside (because seriously, you’ll be warmer in a matter minutes once you get moving). Fresh air and sunshine do a remarkable amount to improve your mood (and some Vitamin D helps too).
- Gift yourself. Its easy to get swept away with gift-giving. But where are you on the list? Take some time to think of something you’ve been yearning for and dare to treat yourself. (We think jewelry is a perfect idea for self-gifting.)
The main thing? Don’t go hard on yourself. Sure, the holidays can be a challenge. But remember (refer back to the stats above): you’re not the only one.