Holiday Depression: How can you fight it?

Posted: December 28, 2022

By: M. Katherine Lickteig, MA, LPC Associate Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S

What can be the culprit for Holiday Depression?

Holiday depression and how to combat, seeking counseling for depression in Katy and Fulshear TX

Holiday depression can occur during November and December due to increased stress and anxiety. Even content people may experience loneliness and lack fulfillment during this time of year.

What is the main reason for holiday depression?

While there are several reasons that a person could develop depression, the main predictor is social isolation and grief during the holidays.

Social Isolation

Social isolation is one of the most significant predictors of depression, especially during the holidays. Some people may have a small social circle or lack opportunities for socialization. People who have feelings of disconnectedness often avoid social interactions during holiday time. Unfortunately, withdrawing often makes the feelings of loneliness and symptoms of depression worse.

Grief

Holidays tend to intensify most people’s emotions. This is the time of the year when many are made aware of losing a loved one.

Ways to combat depression at this time of year:

Begin a New Tradition: Try planning a family outing or vacation instead of spending the holidays at home.
Don’t Give In to Holiday Pressures: Feel free to leave an event if you aren’t comfortable. Be willing to tell others, “I’m not up for this right now.”
Volunteer: Helping others can be beneficial for you, too.
Get Back to Nature: Going for a walk in the park or the woods helps many people relax and feel better when feeling overwhelmed.
Improving your mood: Improve your mood by practicing self-care during the holidays.

Eat a healthy diet Maintain a regular sleep pattern Exercise 30 minutes a day Get as much sunlight as possible

If your Holiday depression gets serious...

Talk to your doctor if your sadness continues for a long time. They will refer you to a mental health specialist to help you work through your sadness. Do the following If your feelings of sadness overwhelm you and is accompanied by suicidal thoughts:

Call 911.
Go immediately to a hospital emergency room.
Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

The holidays can be overwhelming. However, there is a difference between being overwhelmed and having holiday depression. If your sadness has become chronic and you are sinking into depression. The main thing is to get help. You can join a support group, or you can seek out a therapist so that you can talk out your triggers. Talking to people that understand what you are experiencing can also help.

If You Are Struggling with Holiday Depression, Begin Therapy in Katy, TX!

If you are looking for parenting help, one of the therapists at The Center at Cinco Ranch can help! We provide mental health counseling, as well as other mental health services. To begin counseling in Katy, TX follow these three steps:

Contact our office to set up an appointment or to learn more about emotionally focused therapy
Meet with one of our compassionate therapists
Find ways to thrive in your relationship!

Other Therapy Services We Offer:

Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men's issues, women's issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and our counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!