Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for many this is untrue. Some can enjoy the holidays with child-like wonder, and others can't wait for the "magical" season to be over. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Depression affects eighteen percent of America's population, and feelings of depression often get worse during the holidays due to increased feelings of stress and anxiety.
Whether the depression is seasonal or chronic, here are some things you can do to help cope with these feelings:
1. Recognize that not everything will be perfect
Coming to terms with the idea that not everything will be perfect is difficult, but important. There is a lot of pressure surrounding the holidays to make sure that everything is perfect. There's pressure to make sure you're buying the right gifts, cooking the right food, and wearing the right outfit. While these things are important, they're not worth sacrificing your mental health for. The holidays are so much more than gifts, food, and outfits. They're about spending time with loved ones. I can almost guarantee your Christmas is not going to look like the one's you've seen on TV, and that's okay because your Christmas is about making your own memories; it's not about comparing yourself to others.
2. Ask for help
There's such a stigma around asking for help and there shouldn't be. Asking for help is not a sign of failure; instead, it's a sign of strength because you recognize that sometimes you physically can't do everything yourself. While you may have it in your head that no one will care enough to help you, you might be surprised about what happens when you work up the courage to ask for help. If you don't ask for help not only are you putting more stress on yourself, but you're also robbing others of being able to give a blessing.
3. Don't neglect your self-care
Self-care is important year-round, but especially important during the holidays. The holidays are about "giving", but that shouldn't come before you've taken care of yourself. It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season and neglect that much needed time to take care of yourself. Whether it's taking a walk and listening to soothing music or taking a relaxing bath before bed, I encourage you to do something nice for yourself each day, because you're important too.
4. Focus on what you can do
Some may become stressed around the holidays because of a lack of money. If you don't have enough money to buy everyone the perfect present, that's okay. Instead of focusing on not having money, shift your focus toward other ways of giving. Offer to help someone clean up their house before the big party, or volunteer to help those less fortunate than you. Giving doesn't always have to involve money. Sometimes the greatest gifts are those that show how important a person is to you, not how much money you spend on that person.
5. Enjoy the moment
It's easy to get caught up in thinking about the future and wish that the holidays would just hurry up and be over with. Instead of wishing the holidays away, focus on the happy things. There are so many beautiful moments that are missed because we're not taking the time to enjoy them. Instead of thinking about how much cleaning you'll have to do after everyone leaves, try to enjoy the sounds of laughter, the smell of cookies, and the sight of wrapping paper flying through the air as the children enthusiastically unwrap their presents to see what's inside. It's the little moments that make life beautiful, don't let them pass you by because you're focused on other things.
If you need someone to talk to this lifeline is open 24/7:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
If talking on the phone is uncomfortable for you, they also have a chat room.
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
