Are you struggling with anxiety, depression or loss this holiday season?
Holiday time can be a challenging time for managing feelings of anxiety or depression. Beyond coping with daily struggles, many feel the added burden of:
- time and financial constraints
- commercialization and pressure to overspend
- media images of perfect couples and families celebrating holidays together
- idealized, yet unrealistic expectations
- feeling that our imperfect families and relationships don’t measure up.
In addition, holidays are a painful time for people grieving the death of a loved one or a break-up. The traditions become reminders of who is missing.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by emotions or loss this holiday season, what can you do?
- Get help as soon as you can. As depression deepens, it gets harder to reach out for help.
- Set your own realistic expectations for the season.
- Don’t let anyone tell you how you should or shouldn’t feel.
- Don’t feel ashamed: struggle is normal with depression or grief.
- Feel free to refuse or leave an event if you can’t handle it. But, keep in mind that social isolation is the biggest predictor of depression during the holidays, so find a balance.
- Create new traditions (outing, travel, volunteering).
- Scale down to avoid being overwhelmed.
- Break down larger tasks into smaller steps and give yourself credit for each small step you complete.
- Keep routines (eat healthy, sleep regular hours, exercise).
- Avoid alcohol and too much junk food.
- Read books and watch movies that are light and uplifting.
- Enjoy the outdoors and get as much sunshine as possible.
- Participate in spiritual activities that help.
- Reach out to supportive people.
- See your doctor (a combination of prescribed medication and counselling can be most effective in helping to manage depression).
- Call Carizon : 519-743-6333.
