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Your First Response to Pain Hope for the Holidays
Hope for the Holidays
Four tips for managing grief and depression during the holiday season.
By Nathan Starr
Holidays should be a time of happiness and laughter, but that’s not always the case. When you lose a loved one close to this time of year, experience a layoff or feel overwhelmed with caregiving responsibilities, you may not feel very festive.
Difficult life events come with feelings of sadness and grief that, for some, could lead to depression. Individuals who suffer from depression may find that holidays tend to be harder.
It’s especially important this year to take your mental health seriously. Here are some easy ways to manage and reduce holiday depression.
Get Plenty of Rest
Depression can be worse during the holidays because of how stressful and hectic the season can get when you’re juggling gift purchases with planning a holiday meal and making sure the kids are taken care of on their break from school. If you’re prone to depressive feelings, make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Schedule your time around a normal sleep schedule and take naps as needed. On days when you are planning a family meal or going shopping, make sure you don’t overdo it.
Give Yourself Time to Grieve
When you put your feelings aside, assuming the busy holiday schedule will distract you enough, your grief is going to build and make you feel worse once you get the chance to breathe and relax. If you’re experiencing any type of loss, whether a loved one, a job or something else important to you, take some time for yourself to grieve. Know that it is OK to feel sad, and talk to someone if you need to, whether it’s a loved one, a therapist, a friend or a support group.
Avoid Substances to Ease Depression
Alcohol and drugs provide short-term relief but long-term consequences. Having a few drinks to take the edge off might seem like a good idea, but alcohol is a depressant that can trigger panic attacks. As soon as you sober up, you will feel much worse than you did before, making your depression worse. Instead of reaching for a cocktail, choose a healthy distraction, such as exercise, and take time for yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Ask for Help
Depression isn’t something you need to deal with on your own. When you feel stressed or overwhelmed, reach out for help. Have someone watch your kids on a particularly bad day or ask a loved one to assist with errands. Reach out to others when you need a shoulder to cry on or someone to just be with you on a bad day.
Depression isn’t something that should be taken lightly. If you’re unable to manage your grief or depression on your own, consider contacting a mental health professional or your primary care physician for help.
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