Preventing the Holiday Blues

The holidays can be fun – but for some people, they can lead to anxiety or depression – the “holiday blues".
Be kind to yourself and to others who might be at risk. Plan ahead for things you can do to make the holiday season healthier for everyone.

Holiday blues can be a normal reaction to recent stressful events or triggered by:

• Recent loss of family members
• Comparing yourself to other people
• Unrealistic expectations that family time will be perfect
• Trying to do too much
• Changes in diet and routine
  

THINGS YOU CAN DO:

• “Take some time alone – but not too much.”
• “Be realistic about what you can and can’t do.”
• “Ask your family to do more". “We let our boys put up and decorate the tree.”
• “Don’t drink alcohol if you are feeling down.”
• “Stick to normal routines as much as possible.”

See these and more in:

“Avoiding the Holiday Blues” – Psych Central:

https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/11/13/avoiding-the-holiday-blues

“5 Changes my Depression Prompted me to Make this Christmas” – The Mighty:

themighty.com/2016/12/how-depression-changes-christmas

“Tips for Managing the Holiday Blues” – NAMI:

www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/November-2015/Tips-for-Managing-the-Holiday-Blues

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT IS IN CRISIS:

• Ventura County Suicide Hotline: 1-877-727-4747 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Ventura County Crisis Team: 1-866-998-2243 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Emergency: Call 911