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‘Tis The Season To Be Merry: Or Blue?

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Children are laughing. Carolers are singing. The aroma of fresh baked cookies wafts through your kitchen. Colorful lights are blinking merrily on your tree. So why do you feel so sad? If you find yourself feeling sad and blue during the holidays, you are not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from holiday depression so profound that they are physically and mentally unable to participate in what is expected to be the happiest time of the year.

There are numerous factors that can cause us to feel stressed, fatigued, lonely and sad during the holidays. Many people feel isolated and sad because they don’t live in a Norman Rockwell ideal world. The fact of the matter is that only about 25% of all Americans are living in what is considered a “traditional” family. If loved ones are absent during the holidays, if relationships are broken or if there have been other types of tragedies, don’t pretend that the problems do not exist. Denial takes more energy than talking openly about issues. Try to emphasize the positive aspects of a relationship that has been lost or allow yourself to put more energy into relationships that have survived.

For some people, the simple fact that the days are shorter and the nights are longer can trigger depression. The holiday season transpires during the time of year when there are fewer hours of daylight. Research has shown that 10 percent of our population is significantly affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Regardless of other factors related to the holidays, people who suffer from this disorder will experience chronic fatigue, difficulty sleeping, irritability and feelings of sadness. Phototherapy, a treatment involving a few hours of exposure to intense light, is effective in relieving depressive symptoms in patients with SAD.

Financial constraints, particularly in today’s troubled economic times, can cause anxiety, depression and a feeling of helplessness. The majority of Americans spend between 95% and 100% of each paycheck. The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s brings about special costs that increase debt. To avoid this, set reasonable limits regarding the purchase of gifts. The over-commercialization of the holiday season is one of the prime reasons people become agitated. Get back to the basics and remember that Christmas is meant to be a time of love. Giving takes many forms and the best forms have nothing to do with money.

If your holiday blues stem from feelings of isolation, look outward. Helping others not only makes us feel good about ourselves it can also have profound positive effects on our physical health. The mind and body aren’t separate. Anything we do to elevate our spirits will also have a beneficial effect on our health. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, read stories to children who are hospitalized during the holidays, help organize a food drive for the homeless, collect food and toys to give to the local animal shelter. The positive emotions gleaned from volunteering release endorphins into the bloodstream. Endorphins are the body’s natural tranquilizers and painkillers. They stimulate dilation of the blood vessels, which leads to a healthier heart.