December is a magical time of year, with signs of the Christmas season all around. However, for many people December is also the busiest time of the year, and when pressures from many different sources build up — it can be very challenging to overcome feeling stress, anxiety and depression.
With all the bright lights and sounds of the holiday season, those who are struggling during the holidays with mental health issues sometimes get lost in the chaos of the holiday. There are many factors that can influence the ‘winter blues’, such as work pressures, financial restraints, many social obligations during the month, and family expectations.
The routines that normally keep us healthy and happy — yoga class, morning runs, healthy home-cooked meals, a meditation practice — are usually the first thing to fall by the wayside.
In addition to increased stress, eating poorly and drinking excessively can also exacerbate issues like stress, anxiety and depression.
According to the National Institute of Health, Christmas is the time of year that people experience the highest incidence of depression. Hospitals and police forces report the highest incidences of suicide and attempted suicide. Psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health professionals report a significant increase in patients complaining about depression. Many people struggle with seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression which occurs when symptoms of depression are developed during the darker winter months each year.
It can be tough for any person to admit that they are dealing with the ‘winter blues’, but it is important to realize that it can happen to anyone.
It is also important to be honest about the emotions, the weight of the stress, and to know that there are ways to face the challenges.
There is also lots of support available for those who do have difficulties. Health services programs like the Five Hills Health Region are available with their resources and recommendations.
For those who don’t have difficulties at this time of year, it’s an opportunity to reach out to those who become depressed. For those who are depressed, it’s an opportunity to take action to think, feel and act in ways that breaks free from the past.
It’s important to manage expectations during the holidays and not hope for things to be perfect. There is no ‘perfect’ holiday, no matter how much TV or movies might portray differently, and we all should appreciate the people in our life to the fullest.
