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Take Simple Steps to Beat the Holiday Blues
By
Stephen Baetge
Staff Writer
The “holiday
blues,” a seasonal depression commonly associated with Thanksgiving
and Christmas, affects many seniors each year. But by taking a few
simple steps, these seniors and their friends and loved ones can
change the holidays from a time of sadness and sorrow to one of joy
and fulfillment.
According to Mental Health America (MHA), the country’s oldest and largest
nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness,
numerous factors can cause the holiday blues, including increased family obligations,
isolation and a decreased activity level commonly associated with the winter
months.
People of all age groups can experience a post-holiday letdown or varying degrees
of the holiday blues. These feelings can result from disappointments during the
preceding months compounded by the excess fatigue and stress.
A 2006 survey by MHA revealed that the most common stressors during the holidays
were finances, memories of lost loved ones and too many activities.
“The holiday season can be a challenging time of year,” said David
Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of MHA. “Being aware of stressors and taking
steps toward managing them is essential to making the holiday season healthy.
Neglecting them, on the other hand, can abate a person’s well-being and
overall health.”
Seniors are particularly susceptible to the holiday blues. Many feel abandoned
by their grown children or grandchildren — who sometimes choose to spend
the holidays away from home or with in-laws – and this often leads to thoughts
that no one cares about them any longer.
“Holidays are always the worst for me,” said 63-year-old Albert Gray. “Something
will happen that triggers something else.” In Gray’s case, the holidays
evoke memories of his deceased 83-year-old mother. His feeling of loss is present
throughout the year, but it’s especially strong during the holiday months.
While seniors may be susceptible to the holiday blues, the good news is that
the effects can be lessened with a few simple steps and some help from friends
or family.
According to MHA, people should keep their expectations for the holiday season
manageable by setting realistic goals. Making a list and prioritizing important
activities can help relieve stress.
A realistic approach about what can and cannot be done is important, as is not
putting the entire focus on just one day. It’s a season of holiday sentiment,
so activities can and should be spread out to lessen stress and increase enjoyment.
Emotional honesty is also important. The holiday season does not banish the reasons
for feeling sad or lonely. There is room for negative feelings to be present,
even if a person chooses not to express them.
Experts recommend a focus on the present and future during the holidays. Life
brings changes, and “yesteryear” should be left in the past. Comparison
with previous years often sets the stage for disappointment and depression.
Helping others in the truest spirit of the holidays can often be the ticket to
good cheer. Spending time with supportive and caring people is an excellent idea,
too. Making new friends or contacting old acquaintances is another way to spread
the holiday warmth.
Free activities — looking at decorations, window shopping or playing with
children — help to battle the blues.
Overindulgence in food or drink is to be avoided. It can increase feelings of
depression.
Finally, holidays are a shared activity. People should save time for themselves
and foster ties by letting others share in the responsibility of planning the
activities.
One cautionary note from MHA is that people should not confuse the holiday blues
with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which results from being exposed to fewer
hours of sunlight as the days grow shorter during the winter months.
Environmental factors and holidays are not usually associated with SAD, which
is treated using phototherapy, a treatment involving a few hours of exposure
to intense light to relieve depressive symptoms in patients with SAD.
This page and its contents ©2008
Metropolitan News Company, Inc.
