Rx: How to beat the holiday blues

MANILA, Philippines –  “Holiday blues” seems like an oxymoronic term, but believe it or not, some people experience a certain level of anxiety, depression or stress during the Christmas season. But while it is, indeed, possible to greet the holidays with a frown, it is also possible to turn it around before your celebrations and festivities are completely ruined.

Premier health institution Makati Medical Center lets you in on what causes those unwanted holiday blues and how you can overcome them in order to enjoy a truly merry Christmas with family and friends.

What really causes those seemingly inexplicable feelings of worry, anxiety, and sadness during what is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year? Truth be told, several factors play a part in them — these include relationship problems, the aggravation of already-existing sources of stress, physical, and financial needs, past negative holiday memories, and more.

In countries where winter is regularly experienced, there is an actual condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — also called winter blues — which pertains to the mood fluctuations (characterized by depressive symptoms) felt by normal individuals during long, harsh, and bitter winters. This condition has been linked to the lack of exposure to sunlight, as winter normally means shorter days and longer nights.

How do you know if you are experiencing the holiday blues? Some of the telltale signs are a lack of interest in or enthusiasm for different activities, trouble concentrating, problems sleeping, changes in your appetite, consistent feelings of depression (or low mood) and tiredness. These symptoms normally intensify during the months of November and December, at the height of holiday cheer.

The good news is that while it can be easy to catch the holiday blues bug, it can be overcome with the right attitude and avoiding physical and environmental triggers.

• Avoid drinking or smoking too much, as these two lifestyle habits contain substances that enhance or aggravate depression. Also, steer clear of holiday food that has excessive amounts of sugar — this can cause “sugar crashes” that can also make you feel depressed. Of course, this is as good a time as any to exercise (as there is an increased temptation to overeat during the yuletide season), maintain a healthy diet (don’t pass on your fruits and veggies just because it’s Christmas) and get an adequate amount of rest, as all those parties and get-togethers can take a toll on your body.

• Money-wise, avoid spending what you don’t have. People often use Christmas as an excuse to overspend, and they often suffer from feelings of remorse after a series of impulsive and unnecessary purchases. Stay within your budget and get only what you need, so that you don’t spend the rest of the holidays dreading your impending credit card bills.

• Since a lot of cases of holiday blues are attributed to negative memories of past Christmas celebrations, make it a point to surround yourself with positive people. Oftentimes, people who feel anxious and sad during the holidays feel stuck in an emotional rut, always remembering what it was that ruined Christmas for them — to counter this, train yourself to be forward-looking instead of dwelling on previous experiences and letting them get the best of you.

• Keep yourself busy with new activities and hobbies that you enjoy. Get involved in volunteerism — helping someone else in need is a great stress or depression reliever as it increases self-worth and enhances feelings of satisfaction and contentment. Be open to new experiences, as this gives you new memories to look back on years after.

Yes, you can certainly beat the holiday blues — all it takes is the right mindset and the extra discipline required to look after your body during this memorable and highly anticipated season.