The best thing to do when you feel sad this holiday season

Beat the holiday blues once and for all.


For some people, the holidays are the happiest time of the year, with an endless flood of family and friends, a gift sheath and more delicious holiday treats that your size can handle. However, for others, the holiday season brings an unexpected consequence: the appearance of a serious vacation depression, even sadness.

In fact, according to theAmerican Psychological Association (APA), 38% of respondents admitted that their level of stress increases during the holiday season and published research inInnovations in clinical neuroscience reveals not only many people find themselves with a worse atmosphere during the holidays, the number of deaths related to alcohol during thepre-Christmas period tends to point, as well.

But there are good news (Phew): There are many ways to counteract the sadness of the holidays that you are trying to drown with chicken milk and cookies.

What are some of the main vacation stressors?

According to the APA, the greatest stressors of the party tend to be absolutely time, lack of money and hype that usually precedes the main holidays - and is often followed by a strong disappointment.

However, these are far from the factors that can make people peace during this time of year.

"There are a variety of things that can make people feel, sad or even depressed during the holidays," says the authorized mental health advisor and the coach of lifeDr. Jaime Kulaga, Ph.D. "One of the most common reasons people feel during the holidays feel alone ... The holiday season is all about family and friends who gather to celebrate and be grateful. Without family or friends Around you, the holidays can create feelings of sadness or even symptoms of depression. "

For many people living in northern climates, the weather can also wreak havoc in your mood during this time of year.

"It becomes darker outdoors earlier, getting colder and, overall, people tend to be more reclusive ... with less activity, people can feel a weight gain and a decline of their mood, "explains Dr. Kulaga.

"In addition, seasonal emotional disorder (SAD) is a diagnosis that affects about five percent of the population. Many people know sad like the"winter blues. Sad is a depression that is related to the season change typically at the mid-end of the fall and winter. As the season continues, the symptoms tend to get worse, "with weight gain, sleep disorders, irritability and a lack of desire to do things with family and friends among Some of its more remarkable symptoms.

How should you cheer yourself if you are saddled with the holiday blues?

Kulaga suggests remaining socially active as an effective way to counter the weak mood that often accompanies the holidays.

"The holidays concern the family and do not empty the emptying of your bank account to buy gifts. If you have additional species and your family is a plane grip, let them know that you do not buy gifts this year or you elsewhere holiday gifts so that you can come to visit and spend time with them, "suggests Kulaga." It will probably end up being thebest gift For your mind and soul as well as theirs! "

Similarly, while you may want to close yourself from the rest of the world when the holidays turn around, taking your friends and colleagues on these invitations to spend time together will make you a world of long term. "Friends are family," Kulaga said, who suggests starting a tradition of friends or hitting a friend's laid sweater party if the season started. Research published in theClinical Psychology Journal Suggests that spending time with friends makes a significant difference in people with depressive symptoms.

So, if you feel blue: take the phone and call an old friend. Or arrange to meet someone nearby for a coffee or a walk in the park. Whatever you do, it will work to increase your mood as long as you connect with someone you care about an emotional level, and you feel like you are hired in the widest world that surrounds you ( that is, not isolated or alienated).

What makes vacation worse?

While making your stretch pants and the search of your spell may seem like a good way to make you feel better, it can have the long-term opposite effect.

"During the holiday season, we are flooded with extra snacks, food, goodies and alcohol. All these additional fat influences, calories and processed foods are negative impacts on serotonin and, consequently,global mood, "said Dr. Kulaga.

The research suggests that glue to a healthy meal plan can do the same - if not more, when it comes to stimulating your mood than to hit a party. According to a study published inBMC medicine, Making healthy food changes reduced depressive symptoms of participants more than making new friends.

"Continue ways to take care of yourself," suggests a therapistErika Miley, LMHC. "Many times we visit the family or are out of our routine, we lose or give up ways to fill our cup. Do your best to maintain some of your healthy routine."

What should you do if you notice that your friend or family member feel about the holidays?

And if you find that the members of your inner circle seem to have difficulty fighting this holiday season, there is an easy way to help: just extend you. Invite them to a movie, ask for a game nights or simply send them a weekly text to record.

"If you know someone is sad during the holidays, spend some time letting them speak. Often, we listen to answer, but if we stop to really listen, you can easily find out why someone is sad Or badly, "suggests Dr. Kulaga.

"And of course, if you know that someone is severely depressed, encourage them to talk to a professional and to know that it is correct to feel the way they feel - and that there is any hope." And for more ways to improve your mood all year round, discover these75 genius tips to become instantly happy.

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