While “The Holiday Blues” may be a good name for a holiday music cover band, they are not good for our mental health. Holiday blues are feelings of loneliness, sadness, anxiety, and depression that occur in the months of November and December and tend to go away around the start of the new year. It is very important to remember that while the holiday season can be joyous, loving and happy for some, it can be painful, lonely and sad for others. Holiday blues can last for the entirety of November and December or may appear periodically in waves. Some signs or symptoms that you are experiencing holiday depression may include changes in appetite, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of guilt, feeling more tired than usual, loss of pleasure in things you enjoy and feelings of worry.
Someone can experience the holiday blues for many different reasons. The holiday season can be financially stressful and overwhelming. The stress of hectic holiday schedules can lead to a lack of sleep or indulging in more alcohol and unhealthy foods than they do the rest of the year. Some people may feel lonely because they are not able to see their families during the holidays.
If you feel that you have the holiday blues, therapy may help you! In addition, limiting alcohol use, avoiding isolation, exercising regularly, setting realistic expectations and finding time for yourself may alleviate your symptoms. Staying on top of your emotions and feelings during the holiday season may make the time more enjoyable and joyous for you and the ones you love.
About Crossroads Community and Corsica River Mental Health Services
Since 1983 Crossroads Community has been providing services to individuals in the community with behavioral health needs. Crossroads serves five mid-shore counties offering programs in Psychiatric Rehabilitation for adults and children, Residential Rehabilitation, Transitional Age Youth Services, Health Home, Vocational Services, and Respite Care.
These programs, along with the clinical services offered by our subsidiary Corsica River Mental Health Services, are how we can help our neighbors with behavioral needs through recovery – every step of the way.
If you find yourself with feelings of depression during the holiday season or any time of the year and would like to talk to a therapist, call 410-758-2211 or visit www.crmhsinc.com. For more information about our rehabilitation services call 410-758-3300 or visit www.ccinconline.com.
Crossroads Community is a non-profit organization and depends on the community’s help to maintain our programs. For more information or to make a donation please visit www.ccinconline.com/donate.
