It\u2019s supposed to be \u201cthe most wonderful time of the year.\u201d But do you find yourself not feeling so merry and wondering how to get over holiday blues? With all that\u2019s going on around the holidays, it\u2019s easy to get overwhelmed. All the buzz and excitement can create additional stress on your time and your budget. It brings back memories of holidays past \u2013 pleasant and not-so-pleasant. We tend to miss loved ones that are no longer present to celebrate with us more at this time of year. <\/p>\n
With all this going on, it\u2019s no wonder that the holiday blues can leave us feeling down. I know there are several people that I miss each year around the holidays, but I\u2019ll tell you what I do later on. First, let\u2019s look at what exactly the holiday blues are and what might make you feel better. <\/p>\n
What are the Holiday Blues? <\/h2>\n
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness,<\/a> holiday blues are temporary feelings of anxiety and depression. They are linked with extra stress of the season, memories that the holidays trigger, or unrealistic expectations. <\/p>\n That\u2019s actually a very helpful definition when we look at how to get over the holiday blues. Did you see that first part? They are temporary. When you\u2019re feeling down, it helps to know that you won\u2019t always feel the way that you do now and that it will pass. <\/p>\n Sometimes it also helps to know that you are not the only one. Here are some notable statistics about the holiday blues<\/a>: <\/p>\n Related: 7 Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas<\/a><\/p>\n If you are struggling with your mental health this holiday season, check out these holiday mental health tips to help you learn how to get over holiday blues! <\/p>\n There are several different types of support groups<\/a>. They can be a formally set up group that meets on a regular basis, or it can just be a group of supportive friends. No matter what kind of support group you choose, it can help to know that you are not alone. Sometimes just having someone to talk to can be a good way to boost your mental health and beat the holiday blues. <\/p>\n Not everyone feels comfortable sharing their feelings with other people. Journaling can also be a great way to deal with holiday stress and process your inner feelings. Something about just dumping it all out on the page stops it from running rampant in your brain. <\/p>\n It\u2019s really easy to assume the worst when you are dealing with other people. While what you are thinking might be true, it also might not be. You will be happier if you give the benefit of the doubt. When you find yourself assuming the worst this holiday season, stop and ask yourself \u201cDo I know that\u2019s true for a fact or do I just think that it could be?\u201d This will help you separate fact from fiction. <\/p>\n Alcohol does a lot to the body and the brain.<\/a> One thing it does is it interferes with the brain\u2019s connection pathways and may affect your mood and behavior. It also makes it harder to think clearly. It\u2019s also a depressant. Too much can actually cause more anxiety and stress. <\/a><\/p>\n Loneliness is a beast. It\u2019s linked to a host of increased physical and mental health issues. <\/a>There\u2019s no more profound loneliness than knowing that other people are gathering with their loved ones and feeling left out. Even if you\u2019re feeling down, take care not to isolate yourself. It will only make things worse. Reach out to a friend and ask if you can get together for lunch. Do something nice for someone else. Find some way to make a connection with other people. <\/p>\n At the same time, be careful who you are around. If you are around emotionally upset people and you are an empathetic person, It will likely make you even bluer. <\/p>\n Routines bring us stability. During a time of year when we are often doing things we don\u2019t normally do, stick to your routine whenever you can. <\/p>\n It can be hard to manage our expectations during the holiday season. There\u2019s a push to go and do everything and buy everything. Christmas is heavily commercialized. (Which I don\u2019t like.) But what I do like is that more people stop and think about God than at any other time of the year. His praises are being sung. I like that a lot. But at the same time, I know that we are not going to be able to do all the things. We may go look at Christmas lights, but maybe we\u2019ll skip the train ride and the carriage ride. That\u2019s ok because your holiday should be a reflection of the things that matter the most to you and that you enjoy doing the most. <\/p>\n Related: 10 Amazing Little Things to Enjoy this Holiday Season<\/a><\/p>\nHoliday Blues Statistics<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\nHoliday Mental Health Tips<\/h2>\n
Find a Supportive Group<\/h3>\n
Journal<\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t Assume the Worst<\/h3>\n
Limit Alcohol Intake<\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t Isolate Yourself<\/h3>\n
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<\/figure>\nStay Away from Emotionally Upset People<\/h3>\n
Stick Closely to Your Routine<\/h3>\n
Manage Expectations<\/h3>\n
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