How To Deal With Depression And Anxiety This Holiday Season

In the long run, being depressed can lead to many other problems. Trying to identify the causes and triggers can hopefully help you to better understand the process to manage your stress. Staying alone, especially during the holidays, can make it hard to handle anxiety, depression, and other mental states. There are many ways you can try to avoid going through loneliness and depression. In this article/guide, we will have a few ways you can implement during the holidays to help you manage stress, anxiety and hopefully avoid the associated depression.

Reasons why some get depressed during the holidays:

As said earlier, there are a variety of reasons why some people become depressed over the holidays. Some might be very serious while others in comparison may seem insignificant, but every reason nonetheless has various triggers to set anxiety in motion. It is possible to celebrate the holidays alone, it is possible for festivities to be happy even when no one else is around. Start with Identifying that what is causing you trouble and what triggers negative emotions, this could help you to manage unwanted stress and anxiety, enabling you to enjoy yourself. You can even practice mindfulness to bring some peace and calm to your holidays to reduce stress and anxiety by being open and aware of what is happening in the moment. 

Appreciate and show gratitude:

It is the perfect time to show gratitude towards the thing that you have in your life. Never say you have nothing, you have more than you are aware of, this could include vision, hearing, food, good health, pets, books, friends, family, music, and a place to live. Appreciating things will help you to free from the unnecessary chaos that you have in your mind. You can create a calm state of mind when you maintain a grateful and positive approach. 

If you are alone:

If this is the case that you are alone, away from your family and friends, why not call them? With help from modern technology, you can even video chat or talk hands-free while doing other things which makes it feel like they are with you when you are apart. Reach out to them and don’t be afraid to tell them that you miss them, because they will be missing you too. This simple act can do much to brighten your mood and boost positivity.

You can do many things when alone. You can greet the neighbors or do some of the things you have wished or thought might be interesting to try. You can even plan a fun online function via online apps, this way you can spend time with family and friends but you also will have a chance to make new friends. 

Visit Orphanages:

Visiting Orphanages is a great thing that you can do. Visit the orphans and celebrate Christmas with them. You can buy gifts, toys, or chocolates for them and spend time with them watching tv, reading a book, drawing, playing games, or just going for a walk to look at the lights. Christmas could be the perfect day to show love and kindness to others who may not have that opportunity. 

Volunteering:

You can participate in a volunteer program to help those who need it. Various organizations such as the Humane Society, Red Cross, Meals in Wheels, Big Brother/Sister, the Food Bank, and other charities advertise all the information that you need to know in order to participate in their campaigns and events held on such occasions. 

Visit Places:

The holiday season may present to you a great chance to explore the places that you want to visit. You could visit that nice tropical destination, or sky getaway, you could even explore nature instead of staying alone and overthinking.  

Financial Issues:

Financial issues affect many people, try to reduce spending if you think that the holidays will be bringing an extra load of financial burden. Relax, you do not have to spend tonnes of money on Christmas. Manage your money in an organized manner instead of wasting it, by trying to be more realistic than luxurious. Set limits, gifts don’t have to be expensive, to some people handmade gifts are from the heart and as such far better than anything store-bought. It is okay to spend less and maintain a budget, it helps to make a plan on what you afford to spend. 

Family tension:

Christmas can be an excellent opportunity to resolve conflict, but it can also be a source of stress and anxiety. It might not be a great family reunion, but it could be a great step to resolving things. Focus on enabling your loved one's happiness. do not bring up the old stress or fights that may have happened. You can start the beginning of new good things by talking about happy times and staying positive. Remember it is ok to remove yourself from the situation if things are going badly, go to another room or go for a walk, but you do not have to stay in a negative space. 

Do Not Expect Too much:

Expectation kills, remember to keep your expectations low, do not be excited to get significant gifts. Do not expect that everyone is going to be happy. It is also equally important to not compare yourself to other people, this is completely unrealistic, everyone is different and lives under different circumstances. 

Staying healthy:

Try to know what things make you happy rather than materialistic things. Staying healthy, eating well, exercising, and having good rest is also a celebration for yourself and your body. A healthy diet can help you to fend off depression and loneliness. Try to indulge in physical activity as it releases those feel-good endorphins. Meditation and yoga are also helpful activities that fight off anxiety and depression. Try to avoid processed foods and excess alcohol during the holidays as they do not do you any favors physically or mentally. 

Try natural alternative ways:

You can try CBD or Delta 10 to help manage anxiety, stress, and depression. These are some of the natural cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant. With very minimal side effects, you may be able to manage your depression or anxiety disorders. They carry many benefits for sleep, pain, anxiety, appetite. They both are available with numerous options for use that act in accordance with the cannabinoid receptors of our endocannabinoid system. However, you should keep in mind that Delta 10 might show up in a drug test, so consider your workplace laws before you consider it.

Pick up the activities:

Decide on what you want to do at Christmas and the holidays. Do you want to do the same old same old or do you want to try something new? Do you want to take up a new craft/talent or would you prefer to do the hobby that you already know and love? Do you want the same traditional food or would you like to try and choose new festive food from another culture? Do something that will give you a good feeling: read, write, draw, paint, cook, sing, volunteer. You can get engaged in local activities in your community or travel to another destination. There is so much that you can do spur of the moment or you could plan in advance. Go see a movie, go skating, take a walk, take a dog for a walk from a shelter, or tour certain locations, events, clubs, parties the choice is yours.

Be real:

Whatever you decide to do during the holidays you need to remain objective. Do not compare yours with others, especially with the things that you see on social media. These platforms can be the most unrealistic, staged, and fake things that you can find anywhere. Know that showing off like that will give you temporary happiness. Instead of showing off, stay realistic and true to yourself. Keep this saying in mind when viewing social media “May your life be as perfect as you pretend it is on social media.” 

Conclusion:

Get to know your feelings, and love yourself. Learn to manage your triggers/reasons and also solutions for stress, anxiety, and depression. It is possible that you could find peace and happiness in little things by developing a positive approach. 

Also, if you are going through depression and loneliness every day, you need to deal with it instead of ignoring it. You should consult professionals to help treat your disorders if you are not able to manage them yourself. You are not alone, there are many people that want to help you. You have to make sure that you are happy from the inside as well, and you’re worth it.