06 Aug Christmas depression: How to combat it?
The festive season is approaching, and instead of feeling happy, you’re feeling depressed. Everyone is preparing their presents and Christmas menus, and all you can think about is hiding under the comforter. There’s no need to feel guilty about it, because Christmas blues affect one in three people in Western countries. Your personal situation may be the cause: loss of your job, loneliness, divorce, illness… One of the most common reasons for seasonal depression is family. Indeed, in the media, we are shown united people preparing for the holidays in the greatest harmony. But that’s not your case at all. Family gatherings are a constant source of conflict for you, and thinking about parties with your loved ones only adds to your stress. Whether you disagree or it brings back painful memories such as the loss of a loved one, you dread the prospect of being reunited with your entire family. On the other hand, you’re alone and have no family to share these moments of joy with. Like a vicious circle, you feel even more lonely and the depression settles in. You can also swim in nostalgia, thinking of happy times gone by, of your loved ones gone, of your youth gone… And you’re feeling sad and stressed. There are a number of ways to combat this depression. You can decide to cast off and take a trip, whether close to home or further afield, the aim being to change your habits. To distract yourself from your gloomy thoughts, another very effective option is to give pleasure to others. So you can start looking for the gifts that will give the most pleasure to your loved ones, and even make them yourself thanks to the many DIY websites and books. You can offer to organize or help prepare the family meal. Alternatively, you can invite one of your friends or neighbors to join you, or get in touch with associations that help the underprivileged, the disabled or the elderly… This way, you’ll see that you’re not alone in your apprehension about the festive season, and that in the end, by showing humanity – even with strangers – you’ll be doing yourself some good.