Many people get sad around the holidays for any number of reasons – it can be a natural emotion to the stressors of Christmas, or you may already be suffering a mental illness that is heightened by the pressures of family gatherings and endless celebrations.
A 2007 study by the Mayo Clinic found that depression around the holiday season has three main trigger points: relationships, finances and the physical demands related to Christmas.
There is immense pressure to be happy and not all relationships or family dynamics allow for this to be a reality. Many people find themselves getting swept up in the momentum of buying presents or feeling like they are obliged to attend every event they are invited to.
If the festive season is taking its toll on you or a loved one, consider implementing one or more of these strategies to help ease you through the holidays.
Put self-care first
Self-care is different for everyone, but the need to prioritise yourself is the same.
If you feel yourself coming slightly unravelled in the lead up to Christmas or during a celebration, take a few moments to yourself to clear your mind as best you can. This can be as simple as taking a five-minute breather away from your family to focus on deep breathing. Or allowing yourself to binge watch five episodes of your favourite TV show before heading out to an event.
Don’t overeat or overdrink
The Mayo Clinic recommends maintaining healthy habits during the holidays. Overindulging has the potential to add to the stress and guilt already associated with Christmas.
Try and have a healthy protein-rich snack before attending Christmas parties to avoid going overboard on sweets and drinks.
Other healthy habits you should maintain during the festive season include keeping a regular sleep and exercise schedule. Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean life has to become a free-for-all. If you function better with routine and focus, ensure you keep this high on your priority list.
Learn to say no
It should come as no surprise that Christmas is physically demanding. If you find yourself feeling extra anxious or stressed during this time, learn to say no to events and activities that are pushing you past your limits.
When we agree to events that we should say no too, we often experience resentment and can become very overwhelmed at the prospect of fitting everything into an already busy schedule.
You should never feel guilty for declining an invitation. Everyone is already pushed to the limits at Christmas and your friends and family will understand if you can’t be at every single event.
Figure out a budget and stick to it
A survey by Think Finance found that 45% of respondents said they would rather skip Christmas, with half of all respondents citing Christmas financial stress levels as high or extremely high.
Reduce financial stress by writing a budget at the start of the season and ensuring you stick to it. Avoid using credit cards as the stress of debt will only increase any negative feelings and emotions you may already be experiencing.
We understand that there may be financial or geographical boundaries preventing you from spending the holidays with loved ones. In this instance, consider spending Christmas helping others by volunteering at a shelter for those less fortunate.
The feelings of giving back to the community can help ease feelings of sadness and depression throughout the holiday season and give you a sense of purpose.
Lastly, remember to reach out to a friend, family member or health care professional if the feelings get too much for you to handle. No one should ever walk this journey alone and Christmas is no exception.
