The Holidays are supposed to be a joyful time of goodcheer and optimistic hopes. Yet, it is not unusual for many of us to feel sad or lonely during the Holiday period — a condition that has come to be called Holiday Blues or Holiday Depression. Holiday Depression may occur at any Holiday or vacation time, but most commonly happens during the December Holidays when, it may seem, just about everyone in the world is celebrating in some way. While they may be intense, Holiday Blues are usually short-lived, lasting for a few days to a few weeks prior to or just after the Holiday. The good news is Holiday Blues usually subside after the Holiday season is over and daily routines are resumed.

There is a long list of recommended Do’s and Don’ts for managing your Holiday Blues. The most important things to remember are: it’s a normal response to a stress-filled time of the year, and you don’t have to suffer unnecessarily. Find someone to talk with who can help you through this difficult time — a family member, friend, member of the clergy, or a physician or professional counselor. One main thing to remember during this time is to cut your expectations in half and to cut the amount of time you spend in stressful environments during this time in half.

Causes of Holiday Blues
Many factors may contribute to the holiday blues such as increased stress, fatigue, unrealistic expectations, inability to be with family, memories of past Holiday celebrations, over commercialization, change in diet, change in daily routines, etc. Symptoms of the Holiday Blues may include headaches, inability to sleep or sleeping too much, changes in appetite causing weight loss or gain, agitation and/or anxiety, excessive and/or inappropriate feelings of guilt, inability to think clearly or concentrate, decreased interest in activities that usually bring pleasure, such as food, sex, work, friends, hobbies and/or entertainment.

Do’s & Don’ts to Manage Holiday Blues
Do eat right, get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, set realistic goals, organize your time, make lists, prioritize, make a budget and follow it, let go of the past and create new or different ways to celebrate, allow yourself to feel sad and/or lonely— these are normal feelings, particularly at holiday times. Do something for someone, enjoy activities that are free, spend time with people who care about you, spend time with new people or a different set of friends or family, contact someone with whom you have lost touch, give yourself a break.

DON’T drink too much alcohol, don’t overindulge in holiday foods, especially those that are high in sugar & fat, don’t have unrealistic expectations of yourself or others, don’t dwell on the past, don’t focus on what you don’t have, don’t spend money you don’t have.

The Holiday Blues can be temporary and very manageable with proper care. If you find yourself or a loved one with any of the above symptoms please seek help. You are not alone. Please remember moderation is key. Find your balance and try to maintain it. Happy Holidays this year and always!
By: Melissa Dumas
Family and Wellness
ReelUrbanNews.com Guest Blogger
www.GladTidingsByMel.com
Melissa is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 10 years of experience in the psychotherapy field. Melissa graduated from the University of La Verne with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and obtained her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University Long Beach. She resides in Southern California and is happily married with two children.