Not feeling holly jolly during the season? You’re not alone.

 

Twinkling lights, cheerful music, boxes tied in big red bows, and cookies shaped like snowmen should be enough to lift anyone’s spirit, right? Wrong.

Stress and depression during the holiday season are not uncommon, especially for those transitioning into an assisted living community.

What are the Holiday Blues?

“Holiday blues” is a term to describe feelings of sadness, depression and anxiety around the holidays. Often, this is caused by the loss of a loved one due to death, divorce or distance. It’s that nagging feeling that things just aren’t the same.

Close your eyes and try to remember a Christmas morning when you were a child. The room where you opened gifts, the traditional feast and the faces around the dinner table. The memory fills you with comfort and joy until you open your eyes and look around to find that the room is smaller, the meal is missing a special recipe and the chair at the head of the table where your loved one once sat is now empty. This reality can make what should be a joyous season a time of sadness.

Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD)

If you’re feeling sad around the holidays, there may be a logical reason. SAD is a type of depression that is associated with the changes in seasons. If you start to feel extra moody or depressed in the fall, and it vanishes after winter, then you may suffer from SAD. Some label this the “winter blues” or a “seasonal funk,” but don’t ignore this yearly depression.

The exact cause of SAD is unknown, but it can be attributed to lack of sunlight which interrupts your body’s internal clock and may reduce serotonin levels which affects your mood.

It’s important to visit with your doctor regarding SAD. Some possible treatments include:

How to prevent holiday-related stress & depression:

According to Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Joan Vail of IntelliHealth, here are a few steps to take to help prevent seasonal depression.

Science-backed Strategies for a Happier Life:

Some experience depression and anxiety year-round, so here are four proven ways to relieve stress and feel happier, regardless of the season:

  1. Be nicer to others: Try being kind to those you interact with throughout your day. Run an errand for a loved one in an assisted living community or an elderly neighbor who lives alone. Research shows that when you show sincere kindness toward another person, it activates the portion of your brain that helps feel pleasure. This also may spread the spirit of kindness to others. Go on, give it a try!
  2. Meditate: Sit quietly and think positive, loving thoughts. This type of meditation has been proven to enlarge the part of the brain that regulates emotions which can help you maintain happy feelings.
  3. Exercise: Research shows that exercising can make you happier. One study showed that older adults who began exercising regularly reported that, after eight weeks, they felt significantly happier, according to the Mayo Clinic.
  4. Develop a Positive Mindset: By working on gratitude and forgiveness, you can become happier and more satisfied with life.

*mayoclinic.org

Always consult a medical professional with feelings of depression, stress and anxiety, and don’t allow the holiday season to get you down. Start implementing these tips to your everyday life and watch how the light may come back into your life this season.



Buffalo Crossings Assisted Living is a premier rental assisted living community in the heart of The Villages, FL. With engaging social programming, excellent customer service and attention to detail, Buffalo Crossings demonstrates that residents can rely on dignity, respect and quality care in an environment that promotes a lifestyle of fun and leisure. Learn more today: (352) 674-4700   3890 Woodridge Dr., The Villages, FL 32162 www.facebook.com/buffalocrossingsalf/   Assisted Living Facility #12670