The holidays are a time of celebration and joy, but they can also bring up tough emotions for some people. These emotions called “
holiday blues
” can be confusing to resolve. But the good news is there are many ways to protect your mental health this holiday season.
WebMD Webinar:
Holiday Blues: Take care of your mental health this holiday season
” and WebMD’s chief medical officer, John White, MD, MPH, explained what the holiday blues are, how they affect you, and how to prevent and overcome them.
White has been researching public health issues for nearly 20 years. He continues to drive strategic partnerships that drive change in our community’s biggest health issues.
“Holiday blues are feelings of sadness,
stress
, or loneliness. They are temporary and situational. They are associated with specific stressors and emotional environments,” he says.
“The reason it’s important to be aware of this is because it can develop into more serious, long-term mental health problems, particularly clinical depression and anxiety.”
poll questions
White spoke about how to take care of your mental health during the Christmas season. A webinar poll found that 63% of viewers prefer to set aside time to relax to soothe their mental health.
Question: Here’s how I protect my mental health during the holidays.
-
Make time to relax: 63% -
Others: 16% -
Volunteering your own time: 10% -
Minimize alcohol: 6% -
Set a budget and stick to it: 5%
During the webinar, White also discussed the symptoms you may experience with holiday blues. A second poll found that the top three emotions people felt during this season were sadness, lack of energy and loneliness.
Question: Here are some temporary symptoms you may experience while on vacation.
-
Sadness: 26% -
Energy shortage: 23% -
Feeling lonely: 22% -
Decreased concentration: 15% -
Feeling of loss: 14%
Viewer questions
Is there any hope for celebrating a holiday associated with loss and hurtful memories with joy and positivity? What is your suggestion for that?
How do you deal with grief during the holidays, when not feeling it can feel like a disservice to loved ones who have passed away?
How do you deal with New Year’s fears?
It might be a good idea to make some new memories. You need to somehow break the connections that are causing the harmful memories. During the holiday season, everyone has certain traditions that they tend to follow every year. In some cases, these traditions can be associated with harmful memories.
It’s not easy, but changing things that are likely to be triggers, such as location, can be effective.
If you have lost a loved one, you may want to grieve for a while. However, after you have taken time to grieve, it may be helpful to think about what your loved one would have wanted. They don’t want you to be sad, they want you to enjoy your life. You can honor them with personal traditions, like visiting their graves or doing something they loved. You are not forgetting or disrespecting them. You can celebrate the holidays with joy while remembering and honoring your loved ones.
You may not do well after the first vacation, but over time you will be able to adapt to the new normal and create new traditions.
It can be hard to figure out exactly how to celebrate the New Year, especially when there’s so much stressful stuff going on. You may feel overwhelmed or scared about how everything will turn out.
At times like these, it’s best to focus on what you can control. You can control how you act, how you react, and what you do on a daily basis.
It’s about taking it one day at a time. I don’t know exactly what will happen in 3 days, but will he be able to control certain parts of his day now?
Are some groups at higher risk of developing holiday blues?
What are your strategies for self-care during events where you see family and touchy topics are brought up?
If you have a friend or loved one who seems to be suffering from seasonal blues, what’s the best way to start a conversation with them about it?
that’s right. Holiday blues are common in the LGBTQ+ community. You may become estranged from your family or feel lonely because you are unable to form close relationships with them. Similarly, as we grow older, the number of family members living nearby also decreases. When people feel isolated, they are at greater risk of developing holiday blues. This may include residents of nursing homes.
Whether it’s a family dinner or a rotating holiday party, things can get tricky when someone brings up a sensitive topic. Remember, if you need to quit and it’s possible, that’s okay. Or you can just walk away. The good news is that there are usually other places you can go to escape the escalating situation.
Another helpful tactic is to discuss with your partner (or whoever is coming to the event with you) how long you plan to stay. That way, you can plan ahead of the event, especially if a triggering topic comes up.
Remember that often when we say hurtful things it reflects personal insecurities. Changing your perspective can help you cope with difficult situations.
If you’re worried about a friend or family member, instead of simply asking, “How are you doing?” try asking how they’re sleeping and what their stress levels are. You’ll get a deeper response. They may give more insight into how they are actually doing. Additionally, if someone isn’t sleeping well, that’s usually a key indicator that something else is wrong.
Asking deeper questions like this can lead the way. Then, if you feel they need support, you can start providing support. You can suggest consulting a professional or taking new steps to take better care of your mental health.
What are the risk factors for holiday blues?
While anyone can experience tough emotions this season, some people may be more at risk of falling into the holiday blues.
You may need to take extra care of your mental health during the holidays if:
-
Have you recently experienced a change or loss in your life? -
separated from loved ones -
Have past or current mental health problems -
experiencing high levels of stress and isolation
You may feel triggered by stress from holiday preparations, travel, family conflicts, financial burdens, memories with loved ones, or simply the shorter days and colder weather.
All of these can contribute to the holiday blues.
How can you protect yourself from holiday blues?
The good news is that there are many ways to:
Overcome
Or avoid getting caught up in negative emotions. Remember, you don’t have to have a perfect Christmas season. You can appreciate your emotions and cherish them while enjoying the good moments.
White offers these tips for managing holiday blues:
-
Eat healthy food. -
Please stay hydrated. -
Avoid or limit alcohol. -
Stay financially healthy. -
Stay physically active. -
Take time for your mental health and self-care. -
Avoid comparisons, especially on social media. -
Ask for help if you need it.
Watch a replay of “”
Holiday Blues: Take care of your mental health this holiday season
. ”
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