Be Happy at Christmas – Stop Feeling Depressed Over the Holiday Season
These tips for stopping feelings of depression at Christmas or over the holiday season are from Harold Levinson, M.D.. He shares five effective, easy ways to overcome anxiety and sadness — and be happy at Christmas!
“Depressed people don’t always respond well to holidays and vacations where others appear happy and life seems beautiful,” says Dr Levinson. “This contrast often intensifies their own sense of inadequacy, jealousy of healthy others – and thus may intensify their already existing feelings of depression and even anger at their own inability to ‘snap out of it’ and enjoy life as they believe they should and as they see others do.”
For more info on treatments for depression, click A Woman’s Guide to Overcoming Depression. And to learn about overcoming depression and celebrating the Christmas season, read on…
Be Happy at Christmas
If you’re depressed, Dr Levinson says your inability to “snap out of it” may be voiced by a frustrated or disappointed spouse, friend or family member. This could contribute to your feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Thus, a vicious cycle may unexpectedly occur during the holiday season – making it even more difficult to overcome depressed feelings at Christmas.
Dr Levinson says, “A well-known example is Christmas – where all are expected to be happy, joyous and delighted to share gifts and appreciate all that life offers us. Depressed people who cannot meet these expectations often feel worse.”
5 Ways to Stop Feeling Depressed Over the Holiday Season
1. Watch your prescription medication. “To make sure your prescription medications aren’t negatively interacting with holiday activities, follow my cardinal rule in treating all patients: Should adverse affects occur, blame the medication and/or doses first,” says Dr Levinson. “Lower the dose and determine if negative affects are lessened. Indeed, increased doses may occasionally be needed – depending on the circumstances. Also, alcohol, lack of sleep, etc., may negatively impact medication. Keep these factors in mind – especially if depression or anxiety intensifies. Anxiety may intensify depression, and vice versa.”
2. Be aware of the weather and the full moon. A natural treatment for depression over the holidays is to pay attention to the weather! ”During the holidays or on a vacation, external variables may be crucial in affecting mood and anxiety, such as sun, cold, altitude, humidity, barometric pressures, and so on,” says Dr Levinson. “Indeed, a ‘lack of sun’ can intensify depressed feelings. And even the full moon may play a role in some individuals. By contrast, too much sun and heat may have adverse affects and thus physiologically intensify mood variability and even the responses to existing medications. In some individuals, previously helpful medications may suddenly stop working or have negative affects.”
3. Plan for PMS – it can increase feelings of depression. Dr Levinson says, “It’s also important to note that endocronological changes (menstruation, ovulation, etc.) may affect mood and medication/dose responses. Patients planning vacations over the holiday season should keep these factors in mind and plan accordingly.” PMS can be an obstacle to overcoming depression at Christmas, especially if you’re sensitive to those monthly symptoms. Natural PMS treatments can help you feel better – but natural treatments can interfere with antidepressant medications, so make sure you talk to your doctor first.
4. Double-check your antidepressants. “Antidepressants can trigger or intensify depression and anti-anxiety medication can trigger anxiety,” says Dr Levinson. “Awareness of the above insights are crucial for people on antidepressants/anti-anxiety medications. Insight will rapidly lead to self-correction or compensatory behavior.
5. Know your triggers. Dr Levinson encourages people (depressed or not) to remember that Christmas and the holiday season often expose individuals to transitions. You’re often leaving a known and comfortable environment to go to a new and uncertain one, and can be dealing with social comparisons and disappointments, etc. Again, the more you’re aware of these factors, the more successful you’ll be in feeling happy at Christmas.
Do you have any questions or thoughts on these ways to stop feeling depressed over the holiday season? I welcome your comments below…
For more information on Dr. Harold Levinson, M.D. – and his books – go to the Levinson Medical Center for Learning Disabilities.
Do you have a poor credit report? Sky Blue Credit Repair is an awesome program that helps with credit repair, including credit bureau disputes, debt validation, and comprehensive counseling services. This program is ideal for anyone interested in real and lasting credit improvement.
