Why do holidays depress me

For this reason, the month of December can be a particularly difficult time of year for those dealing with family conflict, loss, break ups, divorce, loneliness and mental health issues. Feelings of depression and negative mood affect many people at the holidays, and not just those who have been diagnosed with clinical depression. Hoping for a picture-perfect holiday season is setting yourself up for not only disappointment, but potentially symptoms of depression.

A heightened pressure and fear of not getting everything done are some of the most common triggers for the holiday blues, according to Sichel. Both in real life and on social media , it can be difficult to avoid comparing yourself with others around Christmastime. And as Sichel points out, these comparisons tend to be skewed — and they tend to make us feel bad about ourselves.

For many people, December is the busiest time of the year. Sharp says. There are a couple ways to save your sanity at family gatherings, Jeffrey Greeson, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.

If you know there are going to be conflicts, prepare a neutral response, such as, "Let's talk about that another time," or, "I can see how you would feel that way. Then escape to the restroom, offer to help in the kitchen, or go hang out with the kids. And it always helps to call a good friend if you need a sympathetic ear.

Specifically, focus on the good people in your life. The holidays can be immensely stressful if you don't see eye-to-eye with your family members and yet end up spending large amounts of time with them especially if you're all staying under one roof.

If this scenario is stressful for you, it's extra important to think about the people and things that don't stress you out during this time. Let them feel a little broken," Dr.

Bea says. However, make it a point to intentionally focus on people in your life who "lift you up. Debbie Thurman, a year-old from Monroe, Va. From decorating to finding the perfect gifts, she felt overwhelmed. At a support group's suggestion, she listed the simple things that really made her family happy, and she began traditions that helped the less fortunate.

If you are mourning a loved one, it's a good time to talk about your feelings or reach out to support groups. It's not uncommon to feel angry at the person for leaving you alone or feeling guilty if you do enjoy yourself during the holidays. Holiday activities easily can interfere with your sleep schedule. But studies have shown there is a link between sleep loss and depression, so you need to be extra careful about cutting back on sleep to get everything done.

Encourage your loved one to meet with a mental health professional. They can do an individualized assessment to help determine what that specific person needs in order to get better. Our organization has care teams who can help at:. Instead, make a point to express feelings of hope. You can also offer to serve as a distraction. Invite them to go see a movie or try out a new restaurant with you. And be sure to educate yourself.

The Make It OK campaign has some great resources. Don't let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays.

Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.

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Stress, depression and the holidays: Tips for coping Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Show references Making the most of the holiday season.