Megan Foreman, MSN, RN, FNP-C

It Should Be Simple

The holidays. It should be simple to enjoy them, shouldn’t it? They involve so many wonderful experiences – ֱspending time with loved ones, eating your favorite foods, giving and receiving thoughtful gifts. Theoretically, the holiday season should be as magical for adults as it is for children, but, for some people, it’s simply not.

It’s Complicated

While the season can bring joy, for many, the season brings a mix of emotions, including sadness, grief, or anxiety. If you’ve lost a loved one, the holidays can intensify their absence. Others feel sad because they can’t give their loved ones the gifts they’d like to give, or any gifts at all. For some, the holidays feel onerous because of the extra stress on their schedules. Still others feel an overwhelming sense of anxiety around family celebrations and meeting unrealistic expectations.

The holidays are complicated. It’s crucial to manage your mental health proactively so you can enjoy the other aspects of the season – peace and love.

More Than The Holiday Blues

Depression or anxiety associated with the holidays can be short-lived for those who don’t usually experience them. People who live with depression and/or anxiety disorders can feel their effects even more profoundly than at other times of the year. In both cases, their symptoms and the resulting consequences can be detrimental to one’s quality of life.

You may have depression if you’re:

• Irritable or angry
• Easily frustrated
• More tired than usual
• Hopeless or sad
• Having difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Isolating yourself
• Losing interest in activities that you used to enjoy

These symptoms have to last two or more weeks for you to be diagnosed with depression.

Some anxiety symptoms can overlap with symptoms of depression while others are unique to specific kinds of anxiety. Symptoms of generalized anxiety may include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling restless or agitated
• Experiencing uncontrollable feelings of worry
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Having stomach aches or headaches

Anxiety can sometimes cause a panic attack, which may cause:

• Chest pain
• Trembling
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Feeling as though there is impending doom
• Feeling like everything is out of your control

Ways To Manage

Whether or not you experience holiday-related depression or anxiety, self-care is more important than ever during the holiday season. While that can look like a long hot bath with a good book or taking a much-needed run or bike ride, there are other strategies to employ, too. Remember:

• It’s important to acknowledge your feelings
• Setting boundaries is healthy and imperative to your well-being
• Focusing on gratitude helps you connect with the things (and people) that matter most to you
• To have reasonable expectations aligned with your values and your means
• It’s ok to let go of traditions that no longer serve you
• Deep breathing, meditation, or simply embracing a moment can help you become and stay centered

Lyons Health & Wellness

Coping techniques and strategies are a necessary part of managing and maintaining good mental health during the holidays. For those in Lyons, CO and the surrounding areas, Lyons Health & Wellness can also provide support with medication, and we can also help you create an overall plan to manage your symptoms. We’re here to help you enjoy the holiday season and beyond. Contact us so we can help.