Feeling Like A Grinch This Holiday?

I posed a question to my Facebook friends last week about the holiday blahs. In my status, I asked if anyone was experiencing depression during this holiday season. And while I didn’t get any responses via comments on my status, I did get a couple of emails in my inbox declaring that this year, with the economy, recession, and just lack of morale, there are those who are down this holiday season.

Holiday depression is nothing new. In fact, as a child, I saw a few of my family members affected with this. There is also scientific data that indicates that some people have a weather disorder. That is, they are affected by the lack of sunlight in the winter and therefore often times appear moody of depressed. And of course, the lack of sunlight and shortened days happen in the winter, whereby during the holiday season. It’s only natural that with so much going on during this time of year, that it can sometimes be overwhelming, stressful, and depressing. The question is, how do you deal with it?

Money is often attached to one’s happiness. And while I don’t think that is necessarily right, you can say that when you aren’t able to spend as much as you want to on your family and friends, it can affect your personality. I know in 2003 when I was pregnant with my now 5 year old daughter, we were pretty low on funds because I was not working. That year, we were so broke that we couldn’t even purchase a Christmas tree, fake or otherwise. I was so down in the dumps about this because typically, years before that, we had really big Christmases with all of the fixings and trimmings that come along with it, and here we were barely able to make ends meet or purchase any gifts.

Of course we persevered and had a good Christmas despite the lack of yuletide cheer regarding our sparce gifts. Because, as we all know (or should know) Christmas is not about how much you spend or how much money you have.

How can one fight the Holiday Blah’s? Here is a list I compiled that may help you:

• This time of year is already stressful enough. Do not do yourself in by adding additional activities and items that will give you more of a burden. Keep it simple.
• Surround yourself with family and loved ones. It is easy for us to push the closest people to us away when we down in the dumps, but those that love you have your best interests and heart and are great mood boosters when you let them in. Don’t shut them out.
• Think about happier holidays you’ve had in the past. Look at photos that can transport you back to that wonderful time in your life. Think of happy thoughts!
• Fight off the urge to spazz at others. Keep a journal. Write your feelings down on paper or in a blog or diary and express your thoughts and how you are feeling. Do not keep it in.
• If you are truly depressed for several days in a row, you may need to see a doctor. Watch the warning signs and consult your physician.

This is the most wonderful time of year. Make sure you take time out for you and enjoy it.