Do the Holidays Have You Feeling Blue?

Counseling Corner 12.03.07

from the American Counseling Association
sponsored by the ACA Foundation

It's the holiday season and everywhere people are happy and excited...except you. Instead, you're feeling stressed and depressed. It's called the "holiday blues" and it's a fairly common condition, though one often hidden behind false holiday smiles.

One reason the holiday season can seem depressing is that it comes at a time when we may be mentally summing up the year, especially its troubles and shortcomings. Year-end memories commonly focus on problems of the past year -- illnesses, loss of loved ones, work or relationship problems, or things falling short of our expectations -- rather than the positive happenings of the year.

The holidays are also a busy time. Added to the normal stresses of daily living are the anxieties of gift buying, holiday parties, family issues, social obligations and other stress-inducers of this season.

Holiday media images can also leave us with impossibly perfect holiday expectations. Advertising, TV shows, and magazine stories are present wonderful family holidays that never happen in real life, but still leave us feeling that we're falling short of how things should be.All these complications of the season can certainly leave us feeling blue, but there are steps to take to minimize their effect on our emotional state.

A healthy lifestyle is a good start. Instead of overeating or drinking excessively because you're feeling stressed, make conscious decisions to enjoy holiday food and drink, but to do so in moderation. At non-party times, choose tasty low-fat foods. You'll feel better and avoid the stress of holiday weight gain.

Other healthy lifestyle decisions include getting enough sleep and exercise. A brisk daily walk in the sunshine is a very effective way to fight depression. Studies also fine even moderate exercise can reduce stress and mild depression.

You also want to stay connected. Feeling sad often causes people to withdraw and isolate themselves. Instead, make a real effort to spend time with friends, to call or write those you care about and to remember past good times you've enjoyed with these people.

Simply talking about your holiday feelings with friends can also help. Their support and comfort can make a real difference. And while the holiday blues are usually only temporary and fairly mild, talk to a counseling professional if your depression feels deeper and more than just a symptom of the season.

"The Counseling Corner" is provided as a public service by the American Counseling Association, the nation's largest organization of counseling professionals. Learn more about the counseling profession at the ACA web site, www.counseling.org.