Not Feeling Cheery and Bright? Here’s How to Cope With the Holiday Blues

By: Ruelle Champion

The holiday season is not everyone’s cup of tea. High expectations for family events or social gatherings can cause stress, anxiety, and depression. A survey conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness found 64 percent of survey respondents say they’re affected by the holiday blues. Regardless of whether you live with a mental illness or not, here are some tips to help you avoid the holiday blues.

Stick to a normal routine.

Prioritize the steps you take on a daily basis to keep stress, anxiety, and depression at bay.

Eat and drink in moderation.

Overeating and overdrinking alcohol may seem like an ideal quick fix to the holiday blues, but they can make anxiety and depression worse. Pace yourself when eating and drinking, especially at holiday events and social gatherings.

Find ways to relax.

Refuel your social meter by scheduling time to decompress after holiday or family events. Take this time to listen to music, exercise, read a book, or even turn your phone off for a few hours to disconnect from the world.

Make a simple to-do list.

A to-do list is a great way to keep your brain organized, especially if you’re tasked with planning a holiday meal. A list ordered by priority with tasks delegated to people you trust can help minimize stress.

Set reasonable expectations.

Make sure to set reasonable expectations for yourself, as well as for your family and friends. You can set expectations for things like spending on holiday gifts, traveling, attending parties and entertaining guests, and sending out holiday cards. It’s important not to overextend yourself beyond the expectations you’ve set ahead of the holidays.

If you need additional support, comprehensive mental health services are available at Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital. To learn more, please visit JacksonBehavioralHealth.org