“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” – Charles Shultz
“Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” – Miracle on 34th Street
“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.” – Agnes M. Pahro
So, This Is the Season of Light and Joy
It is when we see family, friends, and many festive events, and sometimes the world looks less gloomy, sad, or mundane. This is what we are told from television advertisements, social media, and movies it seems pervasive. So what happens if you do not find the holidays so happy and giddy? What if you are feeling more Grinch-like than angelic? What if every year, starting in the fall, you start to notice that you feel less energetic, and it seems to take everything you have to get through the day? You do not feel yourself until sometime in the spring or at least until after the holidays.
You are not alone in these feelings, and they may be attributed to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
This disorder affects men and women and generally shows up at the same time of year when the seasons change. In the fall and winter, there are shorter days and limited sunlight, and being outside and active is also more limited because of colder temperatures and lack of sunlight.
So how do you manage the holidays and manage SAD, and is it possible? It is absolutely possible to manage both and it likely will not take heroic efforts to do this; however, it will take a little planning and thought.
Brushing off the feelings of sadness or lethargy as just winter blues will not prove to be productive. Learning to be proactive about this will be the most helpful and help lessen the impact on you and the ones you care about.
Signs and symptoms of SAD may include:
- Feeling listless, sad, or down most of the day, nearly every day
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Having low energy and feeling sluggish
- Having problems with sleeping too much
- Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating, and weight gain
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty
- Having thoughts of not wanting to live
- Fall and winter SAD
Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, may include:
- Oversleeping
- Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Tiredness or low energy
- Spring and summer SAD
Symptoms specific to summer-onset seasonal affective disorder, sometimes called summer depression, may include:
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss
- Agitation or anxiety
- Increased irritability
So what to do about SAD? It may be as simple as recognizing that in the winter, you feel differently and need to get more sunlight. Making a conscious effort to be able to be outside or near windows can be helpful. There are also lights expressly for giving the appearance of sunlight and increasing mood that can be purchased and they do really help. Seeking therapy and having a safe place to discuss feelings and learn additional coping skills for stress is also often very effective in treating SAD. Medications can also be used to help alleviate the symptoms and help with overall feelings. Finding the right therapist to help guide you through finding the right mix.
As for dealing with holidays in addition to managing SAD, it can be done. Listed below are a couple of helpful hints for dealing with the holidays with or without SAD.
Set Realistic Expectations:
Avoid setting overly high expectations for the holiday season. Recognize that perfection and what you see in the ads or in the movies is not an accurate reflection of your life or how things turn out. It really is okay if things do not go exactly as planned, and relaxing and enjoying the time you spend with people is as important as planning everything.
Prioritize Self-Care:
Knowing what you need to be able to relax or destress is important. Not everyone is relaxed by taking a bubble bath or reading a book, so knowing what will help you do some self-care will be important. Also, being able to ask others to help out during this time is also important. Taking the time you need to get enough sleep food and exercise will also be very helpful do a lot for self-care.
Manage Finances:
Creating a budget for the holidays and sticking to it can be very helpful in reducing stress and problems after the holidays are done. Recognizing that people feel connected to people in our lives is a better and bigger gift we can give than anything money can buy. Giving something that you have made or something that you can share may be an alternative as well.
Create Meaningful Traditions:
Focus on creating meaningful traditions that bring joy and fulfillment. These traditions don’t have to be extravagant; they can be as simple as spending quality time with loved ones, participating in activities you enjoy, or reflecting on the positive aspects of the year.
These tips can help you get through the holidays just a little bit easier.
Suffering from SAD or stress does not have to be the way we get through the holidays. This is a magical time of year if we allow ourselves to enjoy it. This may mean finding a therapist who can help to with additional coping skills and a place to talk about things we need to. Deciding to seek help is important and then making sure you have the flexibility you need to continue work on the things you need. Online therapy allows you to see a therapist from home or the office without having to go somewhere and lose time. Seeing someone in person is a different connection however it requires travel to their office and during this busy time of year it may be harder.
Begin Depression Treatment in Richmond, VA
There is not a right answer to this question only what is going to work for you so asking the questions about what you need from a therapist and your current time constraints should be considered. If you would like to learn more coping skills and how to manage holiday stress and or SAD please contact me to schedule a free consultation to discuss further. You can start your therapy journey with Gray Horse Counseling by following these steps:
- Contact me and schedule a free consultation.
- Check out my FAQs and read more about me
- Start enjoying the holiday season!
Other Services Offered with Gray Horse Counseling
Depression treatment isn’t the only service I offer support in addressing. This is why I’m happy to offer I am available for in-person help in Powhatan and online in Virginia. Other services at Gray Horse Counseling include individual therapy, anxiety therapy, group therapy, equine sports, clinical supervision, trauma therapy, and equine therapy. Check out my FAQs, read about me, and contact me today to get the help you deserve!