Five Tips For Overcoming Holiday Depression

For many, depression creeps in.as the Yuletide season draws near, Nearly 17 million American adults and 2 million teens live with major depression independent of the pressure of the Holiday season.  Commercialization of Thanksgiving, Hanukah and Christmas,romanticizing of the “Happy Family” and the bombardment by the media of images of smiling families and friends can push some people over the edge.  Stress and anxiety of the holiday season—especially during the months of November and December-cause some to experience loneliness and a lack of fulfillment which evolves into depression.

So what is to be done to prevent"Holiday-induced depression"? Consider that “depression” is the spiritual equivalent to cancer that grows from within and it changes thinking and sense of well-being slowly and nearly imperceptibly, metastasizing to all parts of our being. Therefore careful planning is necessary to build your immunityagainst "Depression".

 Start now designing what makes you happy during the holiday season; don’t just go with the flow and don’t privatize your pain. If you hate office parties; Don’t go to office parties: schedule a movie date with yourself or with a friend instead. Schedule a visit to a senior citizen residence facility or an orphanage or a local school and provide light refreshments and come with your camera and take pictures of the residents to be presented as gifts to the residents.  Make yourself a “gift” to someone… spend some time doing something you seldom take time to do.Do something that is pleasant and memorable for you; start a tradition and reflect on what “gift-giving” is meant to be.