Depression and stress in Holiday season

The holiday season, for many, is a time of year filled with happiness and joy.  Many workers have a holiday vacation, usually aimed at using the time to find present and spend time with family.  The sight of smiling Santa Clauses, glowing nativity scenes, and the Christmas lights in the neighborhood are usually causes of joy.  The sound of joyful caroling, the beauty of white snow, and the overall happiness in people can be contagious!

Unfortunately, not everyone experiences happiness during the holiday season.  Some people suffer from the holiday blues, becoming victim to stress and depression.  Stress can take over one’s life during the holiday season, especially when the individual is focused on getting presents for their loved ones.  Stories about mothers and fathers fighting in toy stores are well documented, and can definitely induce stress.  Financial stress can also be a cause of depression in many cases, as the stress of buying presents or hosting holiday parties can take its toll.

Depression is not uncommon during the holiday times, as the stress and fatigue of the year may have caught up to them come December.  In cases where an individual is unable to be with friends or family during the holidays, depression may be the natural response.  Depression, as a disorder, can be severely dangerous, as it makes one much more susceptible to suicide and emotional disorders.  Having to balance shopping, family, and work may cause stress and subsequent depression in even the most jolly of jollies!

Others may suffer from seasonal affective disorder, fittingly known as SAD.  In SAD, people change behaviors and moods when there is less sunlight.  In the wintertime, sunlight is at its lowest, with the sun setting earlier than it does in any other season.  Depression is a common symptom of SAD, along with the additional stress associated with the depressive symptoms.

So how can you fight depression and stress during the holiday season? Don’t let the Grinch steal your happiness, follow these simple tips to avoid depression during the Christmas procession!

- Leave high expectations for God!  Make sure to set realistic expectations and goals for yourself, and do not take on more responsibilities than you think you can handle.

- Making a list is always a good idea when experiencing stress.   In this case, write a list of holiday tasks to stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

- Spread your energy out through different tasks, instead of just one day.  Live in the moment and enjoy the holidays with optimistic thoughts!

- If you are feeling lonely, find a place where you can volunteer.  Helping others through their stress and depression is a sure-fire way to avoid being stressed and depressed yourself!  You will also meet people who are fun and optimistic, bringing up your spirits.

- Alcohol may increase depression, so avoid drinking too much during the holidays

- Make new friends and call old friends.  Surround yourself with caring and happy people.

- Be smart with your money!  Buying gifts is a good way to show that you care, but you do not want to deal with the depression that may come with the bill at the end of the month.

Depression

Everyone has, at one point or another in their life, experienced stress.  The stress may have been caused by the death of a pet as a child, a hitch in the marriage process, or being diagnosed with a deadly disease.  It is no question to those who have experienced stress that it can be a debilitating thing.  One can struggle with irritability, tension in the muscle, an inability to concentrate, and many physical symptoms caused by being stressed.

Stress is defined as the failure of the body to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats, characterized by a state of alarm, increased adrenaline, and exhaustion.  Being stressed is a daily part of life to most people in the world, and there are plenty of techniques that can be taken to reduce stress in one’s life, including deep breathing and meditation.

However, in addition to all of these symptoms of stress that are listed, scientists have recently found that stress may in fact have a direct link to depression.  Stress and depression have always had a sort of link, stemming from the same emotional vulnerabilities.

Depression is also a very common part of life for most people in the world.  It is not uncommon to experience depression, which is defined as a mental disorder usually characterized by a low mood and low self-esteem.  Depression may also cause a loss of interest and subsequent withdrawal from society.  Depression can be a very serious mental disorder, as it can be life-changing.  An individual suffering from depression are at heavy risk for committing suicide or ruining their life.  Studies have found that in the United States, 3.4% of people suffering from clinical depression commit suicide, and that 60% of people who commit suicide are suffering from depression.

It is interesting, then, that such a serious disorder as depression may have roots in such a common thing such as stress.  In the recent study, scientists studied young rats, bullied by older rats, and found an interesting discovery.  They determined that the stress from bullying was responsible for the death of young nerve cells, which causes depressive symptoms.  Elevated hormone levels have been found to prevent the development of or kill young nerve cells.

A few things that you can do, then, to combat being stressed and avoid depression are listed below:

1.  Breathe deeply

Taking long, deliberate, and deep breaths is a good strategy for relaxation.  To do so, make sure to sit comfortably and with a straight back.  Breathe deep from your abdomen through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth.  Keep doing so until you feel a state of relaxation.  This will keep your mind off of stressful things and relax your body.

2.  Get a massage

Getting a massage can relax the muscles and mind.  The easing of muscle spasms and pain can increase blood flow throughout your body, relieving stressful symptoms and inducing relaxation.

3.  Get a dog or cat

Go to your local shelter and choose a dog or cat as a pet.  Find a pet that is friendly and makes you smile.  Interacting with the pet can relax you and manage your stressful periods.