This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Christmas season It’s supposed to be a joyous time of year — but not everyone can or will get into the holiday spirit.
Illnesses, loss of family members or friends, financial stress, loneliness or other worries can become the Grinch that steals Christmas joy for many.
The “Christmas blues” or “holiday blues” have been described as temporary. Feelings of anxiety and depression According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), that occurs around the holidays, due to added stress, unrealistic expectations or emotional memories associated with the season.
Budget-friendly gift ideas that won’t stress you out financially this holiday season
During this time of year, some people may be prone to feelings of sadness, fatigue, stress and loss, NAMI notes on its website.
Weather factors can affect people’s mood quite seriously. Decrease, increase in sunlight Drinking at holiday parties, Dietary changes, the weather becoming overly commercial or not being able to see family or friends can all be factors.
Experts say it’s important to note that these moods are temporary.
“Moods like blue mood are a passing phenomenon,” Dr. Mark Sirkin, a clinical psychologist in New York, told Fox News Digital.
‘Home Alone’ Home and Other Famous Christmas Movie Locations to Visit in America
There are things people can do to change that “down” feeling, said Dan Serkin, an associate professor of health professions at Long Island University.
- Ways to Combat the Christmas Blues
- Ways to Treat Yourself During the Holidays
- Ways to Budget for the Holidays
- What to know about feelings of sadness versus mental illness
1. Ways to Combat the Christmas Blues
“Distract yourself, try to focus on happy thoughts and images, enjoy something, preferably with others. These are all good ways to ‘cure’ a blue mood,” Serkin said. said
with the Social media So popular nowadays, many people fall into the trap of comparison. This is especially true during the holidays, when people post photos of their Christmas festivities.
“For every smile or laugh in a TikTok photo, there are many realities that you don’t see,” Sarkin said.
Scrolling through social media can be harmful to your mental health. Protect your piece by trying to limit screen time. Instead, fill your days with activities you enjoy. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
Serkin said research shows that, for some people, constantly seeing others’ happiness can make them feel bad.
“Wait! Change the channel!” Serkan advised. “Call a friend, and have a real conversation. Everyone has ups and downs — you, your friends, even annoyingly happy people on social media.”
Avoid scammers this holiday season by following these simple tips
“Don’t focus on what you think you don’t have. Focus on what is good,” he added.
“Everyone has ups and downs — you, your friends, even the annoyingly happy people on social media.”
Psychologists say that doing something for others during the holiday season can lighten your mood.
An easy way to do this is to donate to a local toy or clothing drive. Donating something to help someone in need can fill you with pride and joy during the holidays.
Dropping off a product at a toy drive can add to your holiday spirit by doing something for someone else. (Ben Hastie/Media News Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images)
Additionally, there are many opportunities to volunteer during the holiday season, such as food drives. Look for volunteer events in your area that you can participate in to help those less fortunate.
2. Ways to treat yourself during the holidays
While the holiday season is a time for giving, it’s also important to take care of yourself.
Make sure you’re giving yourself grace and treating yourself to activities you enjoy, experts say.
Countdown to Christmas with these festive holidays
Among Sirkin’s suggestions is to treat yourself to a nice dinner or other treat.
“I make a fire, watch a movie and pour myself a nice glass of wine to cheer myself up.”
Also, challenge yourself and say, “Why am I not happy?” and “I deserve to be happy.”
Although the holiday season is a time for giving, don’t forget to focus on your own happiness and well-being as well. (iStock)
Margaret Palermo of Huntington, New York, agreed with the concept of treating herself during the holidays.
“I built a fire, watched a movie and poured a nice glass of wine to cheer myself up during the holidays,” she told Fox News Digital.
With fire and wine in hand, pop on a festive flick.
Mental health improves with 20 seconds of daily affirmations, study finds: ‘Self-care strategies’
If you need a laugh, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Elf” or “Christmas with Cranks” are all good options.
If you’re into it. Mood for a classic, “The Polar Express,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas” or “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” are some ideas.
Choose a festive look to wear during Christmas to help you get into the spirit of the season. (iStock)
Another piece of Serkan’s advice is to communicate with others.
“They’re my family — friends who are family — and I enjoy being around them. They help me feel a little bit happier.”
“Resist the urge to isolate yourself or crawl into a corner. Communicating with others, especially those with whom you have close relationships, such as family, can help break out of your funk. is a great way,” he said.
Louise M. of Long Island, New York, said she makes plans to celebrate with friends during the holidays, now that she has no living family members.
She said that while it doesn’t replace her memories of Christmas past with her family, she can still make seasonal memories with friends.
“They’re my family — friends who are family — and I enjoy being around them. They help me feel a little happier.”
Being surrounded by others during the holidays can help fill you with love and joy. (iStock)
Inviting friends for one A night full of holiday treats, Christmas cocktails and even a Secret Santa gift swap can help combat the holiday blues.
According to health experts, exercise is another way to help fight the holiday blues.
A woman enjoys walking around her neighborhood and looking at the holiday decorations and lights when she feels the holiday stress is fading.
A brisk walk or indoor stationary bike ride can get the blood and “feel good” hormones pumping.
Thriving with Anxiety: Tips from Experts on Adapting to a Mental Health Condition
Physical therapists told Fox News Digital that it can help improve mood.
A woman in Annapolis, Maryland, told Fox News Digital that she enjoys walking around her neighborhood and looking at the festive decorations and lights as she deals with holiday stress.
Many homes go above and beyond with their holiday decorations every year. (iStock)
If it’s too cold or dark outside for a walk, she said, she gets in the car. Plays some holiday music. And sees holiday lights all over her town.
Many homes across the country have unusual displays that can be enjoyed to check out with a hot chocolate in hand.
Some homes take their Christmas decorations very seriously, flashing lights to the beat of holiday music passersby can play on their radios. These neighborhood light shows can help get you into the holiday spirit.
Click here to sign up for our health newsletter.
Practicing meditation or mindfulness can also help, according to Serkan.
“It’s a popular and proven way to get out of a bad mood,” Serkin said.
Listening to a festive playlist while looking at the holiday decorations can help fill you with Christmas cheer. (iStock)
“Just sit: You can count your breaths, count to 10 over and over, or any other way you want to focus your mind. There are some great apps you can put on your phone.” He said.
“People should understand the difference between feeling depressed and dealing with mental illness.”
YouTube is another great resource to turn to if you need guided meditation.
3. Ways to budget for vacations
Some health experts say that people can avoid excessive stress. Holiday gift spending By setting a budget and sticking to it.
Christmas can leave people with credit card debt. A thoughtful gift doesn’t have to be expensive. Don’t spend beyond your means.
For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
The weeks or months you spend in debt will add a lot of stress to your life beyond the Christmas season.
Write down everyone you need to buy for, and create a budget for each person. Once you find something you want to buy, don’t buy it right away. Do your research first, and see if another store is having a sale to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your item.
Christmas shopping can be stressful. Create a structured budget for all the people you’re shopping for, and do thorough research to make sure you’re getting the best price for the items you want to buy. (iStock)
When it comes to Christmas shopping, try to get an early start. This will give you the best time to find deals. You won’t have to worry about huge crowds looking for last-minute gifts as Christmas approaches.
After Christmas is over, the last thing on your mind is next year’s festivities. That said, the sooner you start setting aside money for the holidays, the less financial stress you’ll have during the season.
Click here to get the Fox News app.
One way to consider is to set aside a small amount of money for Christmas throughout the year. Whatever money you saved in December will be your budget for Christmas.
4. What to know about feelings of sadness versus mental illness.
People should understand the difference between sadness and feeling. Dealing with mental illness, Serkan noted.
“If you think you may have a mental illness – if you regularly think about suicide or harming yourself, if you think you might harm yourself or others, if you “Can’t work at home or at work – these are all symptoms of serious mental illness,” he said.
“You should seek professional help, starting with your physician or a trained mental health professional,” she added.