Joseph Getch, CEO
December is here…holiday gifts, food, work parties, lights, music, and gatherings with friends and families. For many this season is fun and happy but can also be overwhelming and a source of depression and anxiety.
According to a poll by the American Psychological Association, nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults are concerned that not having enough money, missing family members, and potential for family conflict will increase their stress at this time of year. For two in five adults, this stress is much higher than compared with other points in the year. As such, what may be a joyous season for some can be quite the opposite for others.
Holidays exacerbate stress as we overload ourselves, stretch our budgets, and manage family expectations. We see this frequently at HopeLink, a behavioral health nonprofit serving those with mental, emotional and behavioral disorders or facing life crises. During the holidays, our crisis contact center receives many calls, chats, and texts from individuals experiencing increased anxiety and overwhelming life stress.
Holidays are also difficult as we remember lost loved ones. The traditions and rituals we may have shared with them become painful in coping with their absence. We suggest these tips in dealing with loss during the holidays:
- Give yourself time to acknowledge that holidays are full of rituals you may have shared with your loved one.
- Grieving is hard physically and emotionally, and self-care is extremely important.
- Talk with family and friends about how you will remember your loved one.
- Incorporate new traditions or special rituals to include the memories of lost loved ones.
In addition, holiday blues may indicate depression that exists beyond the season so it’s important to recognize signs of depression that could include:
- Persistent sadness, anxiousness, or empty mood
- Sleeping too much or too little, middle-of-the night or early morning waking
- Weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Feeling inappropriate guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness
If depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges make the season unbearable, then finding help is important. Talk to your family physician or a mental health professional. Another option is calling or texting 988—the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Also keep in mind that the holidays can also affect other family members—including young ones, so watching for the signs, having open conversations, and sharing resources is important to managing their health.
By giving yorself permission to laugh and grieve as needed, setting realistic goals for the holidays, and taking time each day to celebrate you, holiday stress will become more manageable. Cheers to a healthy holiday season.
