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  • Depression and the Holidays: How to cope?
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Living with depression

Depression and the Holidays: How to cope?

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avatar Courtney_J

Courtney_J

Community manager
12/01/2020 at 12:16 AM

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avatar Courtney_J

Courtney_J

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Last activity on 08/08/2022 at 11:09 AM

Joined in 2020


1,339 comments posted | 134 in the Living with depression group

6 of their responses were helpful to members


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Hello everyone,

How are you doing? emoticon cute

Now that the holiday season is upon us, I thought I'd open this discussion for us to talk about depression during this period. While for many the holidays are a period of joy, celebration, and gathering with family and friends, for others it is a time that brings sadness, loneliness, anxiety, or depression.  

Here are a few helpful tips for coping with stress and depression around the holidays:

  1. Acknowledge your feelings: Take a moment now and then to check in with yourself and how you are feeling. Are things hectic at work? Did you have an argument with a friend? Have you lost someone close to you? Remember that it is normal to feel stress, frustration, sadness, or grief and that it is ok to take some time to express those feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.
  2. Be open to change: While the greeting cards and movies may create a certain image of the holidays, know that things don't have to be "perfect", or even like they were last year. This year more than ever, they way we celebrate may be different, and that's ok. Find new ways to keep traditions alive or create new ones by connecting through pictures, emails or videos, or connect virtually through video call. Our holiday plans may look different this year, but we can still find ways to celebrate.
  3. Reach out: If you're feeling sad or lonely, reach out to someone and share how you feel. Talking to a friend or family member about your concerns can help, so don't be afraid to send a text or make a call or video chat. In these times many community, religious, or support groups have gone digital - check local websites or social media for online events or services for a sense of community or companionship. Helping others can also raise your spirits and deepen your friendships, consider sending a card or dropping off a meal to a friend's porch this holiday season!
  4. Take a breather: Be attuned to your needs and make some time for yourself. Take a moment to do something you enjoy or find relaxing on your own, be it listening to music, reading a book, or going for a walk. Spending just 15 minutes on your own can be a great refresher.
  5. Don't abandon healthy habits: The holidays are period often filled with good food and relaxing, but when it gets to be too much the overindulgence can add to your stress or guilt. Try to:
    • Get enough sleep
    • Eat balanced, healthy meals
    • Have a health snack before a holiday meal so that you don't overindulge
    • Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity in each day
    • Try relaxation techniques when you need it, such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation
    • Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, or drug use
    • Don't be afraid to cut off the screens - our fast-paced information culture can be stressful and overwhelming, make sure to adjust the time you spend reading or watching the news or on social media if needed

And you, what do you think? What are the holidays like for you? Do you have a hardder time with your depression around the holidays? How do you manage your depression this time of year?
@Peggkeyli12‍ @Jagger3‍ @Debinoh‍ @Kylevanderwal‍ @Kykio58‍ @MoNTee‍ @LauraJ‍ @Izzycummings‍ @Ahepko‍ @Y00min‍ @Sbw868‍ @JayWilliams‍ @Nanny72‍ @Mayhermuth‍ @Liril61‍ @Richintalent‍ @Sheli70‍ @Demonswithin101‍ @Sue827‍ 

Feel free to share your thoughts and advice here, we're all here to help and support one another!

Take care,
Courtney

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avatar cynthiajackson

cynthiajackson

01/02/2021 at 2:45 AM

avatar cynthiajackson

cynthiajackson

Last activity on 01/04/2021 at 1:54 AM

Joined in 2021


5 comments posted | 5 in the Living with depression group


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 Hello all. I just joined this forum. I hope to help others and also reach out when it is too much. I just bought a SAD light and use it first thing in the am on high and I feel it is helping. Found one easily on amazon.


Depression and the Holidays: How to cope? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-depression/depression-and-the-holidays-how-to-cope-2789 2021-01-02 02:45:21

avatar cynthiajackson

cynthiajackson

01/02/2021 at 2:52 AM

avatar cynthiajackson

cynthiajackson

Last activity on 01/04/2021 at 1:54 AM

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5 comments posted | 5 in the Living with depression group


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Maybe a SAD Light would help you all even now it is after the holidays except for today. Bless you all. We have survived 99% of the holiday season. Hurray for us!! I was all alone for the first time in many years...decades... and the depression was intense but in the last few days things have gotten better. I never seem to be able to predict the course of this illness. Goodnight.

 


Depression and the Holidays: How to cope? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-depression/depression-and-the-holidays-how-to-cope-2789 2021-01-02 02:52:57

avatar Marsha50010

Marsha50010

01/07/2021 at 5:26 AM

avatar Marsha50010

Marsha50010

Last activity on 01/08/2021 at 10:58 PM

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2 comments posted | 2 in the Living with depression group


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Hello The holidays were hard for me this year. I just lost my daughter to a hiated hernia in July 2020. So this is the first holiday season without her. Thank goodness for the Lord's blessings of perseverance and inner strength.


Depression and the Holidays: How to cope? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-depression/depression-and-the-holidays-how-to-cope-2789 2021-01-07 05:26:26

avatar Kenzie22

Kenzie22

01/07/2021 at 6:40 PM

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avatar Kenzie22

Kenzie22

Last activity on 10/03/2022 at 6:16 PM

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141 comments posted | 102 in the Living with depression group


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@Marsha50010 I'm sorry to hear that, but hey I'm sure that in spirit she was spending the holidays with you


Depression and the Holidays: How to cope? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-depression/depression-and-the-holidays-how-to-cope-2789 2021-01-07 18:40:15

avatar Marsha50010

Marsha50010

01/07/2021 at 7:29 PM

avatar Marsha50010

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Last activity on 01/08/2021 at 10:58 PM

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Ty Kenzie 22 she was there in spirit.


Depression and the Holidays: How to cope? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-depression/depression-and-the-holidays-how-to-cope-2789 2021-01-07 19:29:18

avatar nerinnola

nerinnola

01/08/2021 at 6:25 PM

avatar nerinnola

nerinnola

Last activity on 02/20/2021 at 9:57 PM

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6 comments posted | 1 in the Living with depression group


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Just planning my exit strategy. I've had enough of this and I didn't ask to be born.

See the signature

ner


Depression and the Holidays: How to cope? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-depression/depression-and-the-holidays-how-to-cope-2789 2021-01-08 18:25:59

avatar Kenzie22

Kenzie22

01/08/2021 at 10:34 PM

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avatar Kenzie22

Kenzie22

Last activity on 10/03/2022 at 6:16 PM

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141 comments posted | 102 in the Living with depression group


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@Marsha50010 You're welcome. I bet she was


Depression and the Holidays: How to cope? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-depression/depression-and-the-holidays-how-to-cope-2789 2021-01-08 22:34:23

avatar Kenzie22

Kenzie22

01/08/2021 at 10:35 PM

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avatar Kenzie22

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Last activity on 10/03/2022 at 6:16 PM

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141 comments posted | 102 in the Living with depression group


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@nerinnola I felt that so hard 


Depression and the Holidays: How to cope? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-depression/depression-and-the-holidays-how-to-cope-2789 2021-01-08 22:35:12

avatar hootie21

hootie21

01/09/2021 at 4:02 AM

avatar hootie21

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Last activity on 01/10/2021 at 10:33 PM

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@jasmine1092 Hello just wanted to say Hi .I have seen you have sent me messages but i was unable to figure out how to reply back lol 😆


Depression and the Holidays: How to cope? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-depression/depression-and-the-holidays-how-to-cope-2789 2021-01-09 04:02:26
avatar exit

Unregistered member

01/09/2021 at 4:49 AM

@nerinnola please don't say that none of us asked to be born but we were giving a beautiful gift of life yes our life's get tough sometimes but please please don't give up talk to somebody


Depression and the Holidays: How to cope? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-depression/depression-and-the-holidays-how-to-cope-2789 2021-01-09 04:49:25
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