How to Manage Holiday Depression

The holidays may be the season to be jolly for many people, but for others it's a challenge. People struggle with depression more during the holidays than any other time of year. Just as in the classic Jimmy Stewart movie, It's a Wonderful Life, many even play with the dangerous thought that the world would be better off without them.

• Remembering deceased loved ones can cause depression. The holidays can conjure up remembrances of those who've recently died. People struggling with holiday depression think of happier Christmases when they celebrated the holidays with family and friends who are no longer with them. Besides death, a loss can be a divorce or loss of a pet. On the other hand, the holidays can bring painful reminders of past.
• Stress is another reason. There's no other time of the year that's more stressful than the holiday season. In addition to the usual stress involved with sending cards, decorating and parties, people with new blended families deal with traditions of their step children that may seem strange to them. All these changes can cause stress and sadness.
• The holidays can be an especially lonely time of year if you don't have a family to help you celebrate. Rather than reach out and ask for help, many lonely people struggle with depression. If you're struggling to make ends meet there's more stress during the holidays. Worrying about being able to buy gifts, along with all the other extra expenses can easily cause depression.
• Having unrealistic expectations can cause depession. Too often people become depressed at Christmas because they have unrealistic expectations about the holidays. Then when their expectations aren't realized, they can experience disappointment and depression.

• Take time to relax. Depression can occur when people get anxious about upcoming holiday events. If you're already dreading that trip to a difficult family member's home, stop and enjoy the magic of the Christmas season. Play some favorite carols and contemplate the true meaning on the season. By taking literally one moment at a time you can cut down on the anxiety of what's to come.
• Surround yourself with positive people. If they don't reach out to you then reach out to them first.
• Start new traditions. Typically people who've lost loved ones become depressed during the holidays as they try to go through old traditions without a loved one who's recently died or not in their lives anymore. Why not start a new tradition or go somewhere new for the holidays that brings you joy?
• Don't overspend. Often holiday depression is caused by overspending money or overextending your time to too many parties and other events. By setting up a Christmas budget or not trying to go to every function you can cut down your stress level and enjoy the season.
• Lean to delegate. If you've always been the one who's sent out cards or put up a Christmas tree for the past three decades, determine to share the job or give it to another family member. Trying to do everything can lead to stress which leads to depression.

Finally, be realistic about the holiday season. By setting realistic goals for yourself you won't be let down when events don't turn out the way you'd hoped they would. Most of all reach out to someone else who's worse off than you. Look around and invite another lonely person to your home on Christmas Day if you're unable to be with your own family. By doing this you'll discover the truth that there's more joy in giving than in receiving.