Important Message from The Joint Chiropractic regarding COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) - Read More

4 Ways to Cope with Holiday Depression

By Krista Elliott

The holidays are here, and everybody is full of cheer! 

So ... why do you feel like crawling under the covers and not coming out until January? Are you a Grinch for not feeling merry and bright during this time of year? Why can you not seem to get into the Christmas spirit? 

If the holidays fill you with despair, you're not being a Scrooge, a Grinch, or any other monosyllabic-named seasonal grouch. In fact, you may be suffering from holiday depression. 

No Jingle in Your Bells

Interestingly, a lot of people are really unhappy during the holiday season. And it's not surprising, when you think of it. You have the stress and pressure to get everything done and make everything perfect. You may have lost loved ones as an adult and are thinking back to happier days when they were around during Christmas. You might have a small (or nonexistent) social circle and are feeling the same as Scrooge when he was hanging out with The Ghost of Christmas Present, lurking gloomily in Bob Crachit's window, watching them have so much fun together. (Yes, I've seen the movie a few times, and the Alistair Sim version is the best, followed by the Muppets version. End of argument.) 

How to Be Less Frosty (the Snowman) Toward The Holidays

January will arrive soon enough, but in the meantime, this season can feel interminable. Here are some tips on how to get through it: 

Keep it Real: Ignore those Instagram-perfect images of what the holidays are supposed to be like. You're being bombarded with messaging telling you that you're supposed to be sporting a permanent rictus grin while baking perfect cookies, wrapping perfect presents, and decorating a perfectly tasteful yet festive table. To heck with all that. Don't compare your insides to other peoples' outsides. 

Give Back: Sometimes the best way to inject more meaning into the season is to get outside of your own head for awhile and put your hands to work for someone else. Donating some of your time at a soup kitchen or other charitable organization is a nice tradition to start that helps others, and often cuts straight through the saccharine festivity that you see everywhere else. 

Let it Go: Family can sometimes be our biggest source of stress, whether it's seeing the same old arguments being trotted out or being compared (unfavorably) to your oh-so-perfect older cousin. You can't control them, but you can control how much emotional energy you give to them. Limiting the time of your visits, choosing a hotel instead of staying in your old room, and practicing smooth topic changes can greatly reduce your stress. 

Turn Sadness into Honor: If a loved one is no longer around, find a way to honor their memory over the holidays in a positive or productive way. Maybe your mom can be toasted at a long and chatty brunch with your sisters, or you can make your Grandpa's special peanut butter fudge, sharing the sweet treat and his memory with your friends or coworkers. 

By making the holidays meaningful in YOUR own way, no matter how many traditions you buck, you'll have a much easier time finding your own joy. 

To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.

Download your offer today and save!

$29 New Patient Special, Consultation | Exam | Adjustment

Offer valued at $45. Valid for new patients only. See clinic for chiropractor(s)' name and license info. Clinics managed and/or owned by franchisee or Prof. Corps. Restrictions may apply to Medicare eligible patients. Individual results may vary.