How to Decrease Holiday Stress

10 Tips for Overcoming Depression at Christmas and Thanksgiving

Nov 12, 2008

Both Thanksgiving & Christmas can be stressful holidays, especially if you're already struggling with a touch of depression. Try these 10 tips to decrease holiday stress!

Even if you’re not already depressed, the holiday season can be hard to take. The rush of parties, gift shopping, and decorating can be overwhelming for even the most extroverted, happy people in the world! If you’re feeling stressed this season, check out these “tried-and-true” ways to cope.

10 Tips for Overcoming Depression at Christmas and Thanksgiving

1. Keep realistic expectations. Don’t expect your mom to suddenly stop criticizing your weight, or your sister to stop boasting about her kids, or your granny to remember your name. Expect your family to be the same as they’ve always been – both good and bad – and you’ll be more likely to overcome holiday depression.

2. Learn to say no. You don’t have to attend every party, dinner, kids’ Christmas concert, or cookie exchange you’re invited to. In fact, the more functions that you unwillingly attend, the more you may be setting yourself up for possible holiday depression and the post-party blues. To decrease holiday stress, prioritize your time and energy.

3. Laugh. Watch funny movies, rent old episodes of Friends, take your kids or young family members skating, skiing, or snowshoeing. Laughter lowers stress hormones and improves blood flow, which increases your energy levels. The more energy you have, the less likely you’ll be to be overwhelmed by depression at Christmas.

4. Stay spiritually grounded. To overcome holiday depression, stay in touch with God or Buddha or the Universe – whoever or whatever grounds you. Take time to breathe deeply and say a prayer, or just sit on a park bench and reflect on this season of your life. If you’re disconnected from your soul, you’ll find that feeling happy at Christmas and Thanksgiving is almost impossible.

5. Get enough sleep. To decrease the effects of holiday stress, make sure you’re getting the amount of sleep you need. Make time for naps or sleep-ins on the weekends. Be creative, and nap in the car or at the office if you need to. The more rested you are, the less stressful it’ll be to cope with infertility over the holidays.

6. Start new traditions. A great way to overcome holiday depression is to let go of old holiday traditions and start new ones! Instead of going to your mom’s for the holiday meal, consider hosting it at your place for a chance. Instead of fighting with your dad or sister, let go of old arguments and don’t even think about starting new ones. Instead of exchanging the same old gifts with your spouse, try something new, like a trip to Mexico or hockey game and dinner in a fancy restaurant.

7. Get enough sunlight. If you struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or the winter blues, make sure you’re getting enough light, even if it’s indoor. Consider buying a light box, or research natural ways to lighten the winter blues. Vitamin D and melatonin are both stimulated by sunlight, and they both play roles in improving mood and facilitating sleep. Sunlight will help reduce your holiday stress, improve your mood, and help you cope.

8. Decrease your alcohol intake. Excessive drinking affects your physical, emotional, and spiritual health – and it can increase holiday stress. To overcome depression at Christmas, limit yourself to a couple drinks a night – or eliminate alcohol altogether!

9. Delegate responsibilities. If you’re hosting a big family Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner, ask everyone to help out in some way. The more support you have, the less you’ll have to worry about…and the less suffering you’ll do this season.

10. Keep your eating habits healthy. The holidays always bring cookies, cakes, and pies – oh my! Have a taste of the dishes that most appeal to you, but don’t overindulge. If you stuff yourself with unhealthy foods, not only will you gain weight, you’ll feel stressed, depressed, and overwhelmed.

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The copyright of the article How to Decrease Holiday Stress in Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish How to Decrease Holiday Stress in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.