Friday, November 29, 2019

Coping with Holiday and Seasonal Depression



When most people think of Holidays such as Christmas and Easter, we tend to think of families getting together to exchange gifts, have potlucks, and traveling to see loved ones. We think of Holiday music and lots of Holiday cheer, but to a person suffering from depression the Holiday season can be triggering. Especially for depressed people that have no family or friends to celebrate with. Imagine a person that have lost their parents, or grew up in foster care without a permanent home and family. Imagine the pain and sadness that people are feeling.
For example, there are mothers suffering from depression that cannot purchase gifts and Christmas decorations for their family. There is a lot of pressure for parents to buy new gifts and new clothes for their little ones. Some of us cannot afford to because of financial reasons.
We know Christmas is for giving to others, but children do not understand the concept, they only know they should be getting new gifts. Even when we explain things to children it may be hard for them to fully understand and accept the true meaning of giving and being compassionate for others.

Even for people that do not normally suffer from depression, the Holidays can bring on anxiety and sadness. The highways are over crowded with travelers and stores are full of long lines. It can be a overwhelming for a person to endure. In addition, we are expected to shop for others or participate in gift pulls at work which can be costly.

Here are some tips on coping with Holiday and Seasonal Depression

1. Don't feel obligated to max out credit cards and clean out your bank account on material items. Whether it's for family, coworkers, or friends. Have a budget and stick to it. If you cannot afford to purchase expensive items, do not purchase expensive items.

2. You do not have to be alone for the holidays. Go volunteer at a homeless shelter or go to church. You can google toy drives, food giveaways and Church functions that need extra helpers.

3.You may have lost family members through death or family is too far away. Contact them online if they are too far to visit. Get grief counseling if you are still mourning the loss of a loved one. Some churches and nonprofit organizations have it for free.

4. Make your house festive at a low price. Get decorations at Dollar Stores and thrift shops. Or, buy some artificial plants and pictures to make your home colorful.

5. Use this time to complete goals, whether it's to start a new business, get a gym membership, or start a new class. Use the holiday season to work on goals and self improvement. Write down future plans and goals. You do not have to wait until January 1st to start a New years Resolution.

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