The Anxiety of the Holidays
Posted on: December 19th, 2013
Holidays can be wonderful occasions with many highly-anticipated gatherings spent with family and friends. They can also be filled with stress as you socialize with old acquaintances and family members seen only once a year. And particularly for children returning to the family home, old behaviors and memories can lead to anxiety.
In a 2007 study by the Mayo Clinic, researchers identified the primary triggers of holiday depression. There is an expectation that the holidays will somehow bring out the best in everyone, but then difficult family relationships remain challenging during the holidays and become a source of disappointment. The additional expense of travel, gifts and other demands can also prompt anxiety and stress. Often people feel completely overwhelmed and sad when they cannot fulfill some of the expectations of the season.
The physical demands and additional activities of the holidays can also be a catalyst for depression. People become exhausted by the frenzied pace and feel compelled to attend a long list of parties. In addition, the shorter days and minimal exposure to sunlight can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression most common in the winter months.
Please remember to pace yourself as we move into the hectic holiday season. Exercise is an excellent stress reliever and sometimes can be combined with time outside where you’ll get some much-needed sunshine. Make sure your list of activities is manageable, and consider taking tasks off the list if the pace becomes overwhelming. Try to carve out some relaxing “me time”.
If old patterns and traditions bring back painful memories, make an effort to create new traditions as a way of establishing balance. Spend time with people who are positive, supportive and easy to be with – what I like to call your “family of choice”.
Most importantly, if you begin to experience symptoms of depression, seek help, regardless of the time of year.
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