Many people face the holiday season with fear or anguish. There are a variety of reasons why we feel sad during the holidays. Taking time to reflect on the source of the sadness may be the first and most helpful step. Sometimes so many changes have taken place over the course of the year that feeling blue is a normal response to the events. After the death of a loved one, it is natural to miss the traditions that were shared over the years and dread the future without that loved one. Parents are faced with creating new traditions when their children become adults; that need may feel overwhelming. Many people have faced hurtful experiences (divorce, broken relationships, destructive family situations to name a few) from past holidays, and this can be a source of sadness as well. If you are feeling disproportionally out of sync this holiday season here are a few ideas to recalibrate.
- Participate in a new activity: Trying something new and developing new holiday traditions begins with stepping out of your comfort zone and away from what you have always done. The good news is you can be either intentional or spontaneous when trying something new.
- Volunteer: Helping others often helps us to appreciate the good things in our own lives. There are many volunteer opportunities during the holiday season. Give the gift of your time. Volunteers often report receiving much more than they give.
- Take care of yourself: It may seem too simple, but this is often a neglected part of many people’s lives. There are a myriad of ways to implement self-care: read a good book, watch a movie you want to see, listen to music, go ice-skating with a friend… The list could go on forever.
Remember that feeling sad is normal, but when the sadness lingers for over two weeks, it may be time to seek professional help.
Marlayne Whitlock, M.A., LAPC
mwhitlock@ GROWcounseling.com