Holiday Blues - Feeling Sad, Lonely or Depressed During the Holidays?

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What You Can Do When Your Days Aren't Merry and Bright

For many people instead of the holidays being a time when "the days are merry and bright," they are more likely to be experiencing the blues for many different reasons.

For some people the holiday season can be a very difficult time time of year. It is a time of sadness and loneliness, a time of self-evaluation and reflecting about the past and a time of anxiety about the future year.

This year with the current state of the economy and unemployment rates, many people are likely to be feeling the blues.

This lens takes a look at the "Holiday Blues." With a bit of understanding about this common emotional state, your holidays might be a little less blues.

Image Source: Modified Microsoft Image.

What are the Holiday Blues? 

The Holidays Blues are defined as "a feeling of sadness, loneliness, depression and even anxiety that often occur in and around the holiday season."

It is very helpful for people to realize that while the Holiday Blues can be emotional, intense and upsetting, but they tend to be short-term lasting at the most about 2 weeks.

The Blues end and people generally get better once the holiday season is over and get back into their normal daily routine.

Image Source: Modified Microsoft Image.

The Holiday Blues can be emotional, intense and upsetting, but they tend to be short-term and last around two weeks.

Factors that Contribute to the Blues 

Reason Why People Feel Blue During the Holidays

There are a lot of different factors that can make the holiday season a time that leaves people feeling blue. They include:
  1. Increased stress and anxiety
  2. Increased financial pressures
  3. Fatigue
  4. Unrealistic expectations
  5. Inability to be with family
  6. Memories of past holiday celebrations
  7. Over commercialization
  8. Change in diet
  9. Change in daily routines

Holiday Blues on Flickr 

Zig-Zag Blue Christmas TInsel by Craig Jewell

Blue Christmas Tree by mtnbiker404

Silver and Blue Christmas Ornaments by art angel 1

Blue Christmas by anonymous diva ~*

Blue Christmas by **Gwen**

Who experiences the Blues? 

People who might be at risk for feeling blue at the holidays include:
  1. Someone who has a death in the family
  2. Someone who has experienced financial setbacks at the holidays
  3. Someone who is separated from loved ones at the holidays with work, military obligations or other reasons
  4. Someone who has experienced other losses - moving, recent difficult medical diagnosis
  5. Someone who has experienced a change in lifestyle - getting married, getting divorced, new baby
  6. Someone who tends to be depressed, stressed, anxious

How can I recognize the Blues? 

The Holiday Blues often present with:
  • Headaches
  • An inability to sleep or sleeping too much
  • Changes in appetite that cause either weight loss or gain
  • Agitation and anxiety
  • Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt
  • Diminished ability to think clearly or concentrate
  • Decreased interest in activities that usually are enjoyable, such as: food, sex, work, friends, hobbies and entertainment.

Who is at risk?

People who have had lost a loved one, experienced financial setbacks or are separated from their loved ones at the holidays.

Holiday Blues on Flickr 

Christmas Blue by OiMax

Blue Christmas by sapphire252

Christmas in blue by Janny Brocken

Day 68 - "I'll have a blue Christmas without you; by SJBequeath

Blue Christmas Tree by Artistic Creations

Basic Ways of Coping with the Holiday Blues 

For anyone feeling blue during the holidays can follow some very basic, common sense steps to help in coping with the blues.
  1. Take things one day at a time and if need be one hour at a time.
  2. Try and maintain a normal routine. Keep doing your normal daily activities.
  3. Get enough sleep or at least enough rest.
  4. Regular exercise, even walking, helps relieve stress, tension and improve moods.
  5. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Limit high calorie foods and junk food.
  6. Avoid using alcohol, medications or other drugs to mask the pain.
  7. Do those activities or things and be with the people that comfort, sustain, nourish and recharge you.
  8. Remember the healthy coping strategies you have used in the past to survive challenges. Draw on these strengths again.

How to feel less blue during the Holidays 

There are several things that can help in making it easier to manage the blues.
  1. Determine your priorities and establish realistic goals for the holidays.
  2. Delegate some responsibilities to others.
  3. Take time for yourself.
  4. Minimize financial stressors by setting a budget and sticking to it.
  5. Enjoy free holiday activities.
  6. Think about giving a free gift from your heart. Your time or your presence.
  7. Be around supportive people.
  8. Volunteer and help someone else.
  9. Create a New Holiday Tradition.
  10. Find a new place or a new way to celebrate.

Holiday Blues on Flickr 

Blue Christmas by blaumond

Blue Christmas by LaLina

Blue Christmas by Juan Job

blue christmas by carolyn_in_oregon

a blue Christmas tree and a blue curtain by veyan1977

Get Your REST Helps in Handling the Holiday Blues 

One of the best ways to handle the Holidays and cope with the holiday distress is to Remember to get your R-E-S-T:
  1. Reasonable expectations and goals.
    Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Get plenty of rest and relaxation.
  2. Exercise daily.
    Eat and drink in moderation. Enjoy free activities.
  3. Simplify to relieve stress.
    Set a budget for social activities and gifts. Simple gifts can still bring happiness.
  4. Time to relax and remember.
    Spend time with caring, supportive people. Keep in mind that traditions can be changed.

When to Be Concerned 

You should be concerned if you or a love one is:
  1. Constantly sad, anxious, or in an empty mood
  2. Sleeping too much or too little
  3. Having insomnia middle-of-the night or early morning waking
  4. Experiencing a change in appetite either reduced or increased.
  5. Having a loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex
  6. More irritable or restless
  7. Experiencing difficulty thinking, concentrating, remembering or making decisions
  8. More Fatigued or having a loss of energy
  9. Feeling inappropriate guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness
  10. Experiencing thoughts of death or suicide

    ** Anyone with suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideation needs to seek immediate care with their physician, crisis line or the nearest hospital emergency department.**

Anyone who experiences the Holiday Blues constantly for more than 2 weeks should seek professional help.

Holiday Blues on Flickr 

Blue Christmas at Enoshima Aquarium by cozy room/mimi

blue Christmas 2 by weatherlya

Blue christmas lights by polarunner - steve williams

blue blue christmas by MonkeyfacedRatfink

Blue Christmas by Glenda*sue

A Squidoo Lens on Coping with Grief 

Listen to an Interview on the Holiday Blues 

Holiday Season Kick Off

Holiday Season Kickoff

A Resource to Get You Ready for the Holidays


Last year I was one of the panel of expert speakers assembled for the Holiday Season Kickoff Online Event.

You can listen to the Interview with Internet Entrepreneur Marie Ynami, founder of Mommy Fest and the Mommy Community at their website, link below.

More about My Holiday Blues Interview 

From the 2008 Holiday Season Kickoff's section with resources to help get you ready for the holidays.
Holiday Season Kickoff - Freebies and Downloadables
Holiday season kickoff resource page.
Audio Interview with Dr. Dyer about the Holiday Blues
Download a copy of the MP3 interview with Dr. Dyer about the Holiday Blues.
Holiday Blues at the Holidays
A free brochure about the Holiday Blues created for the Holiday Season Kickoff.

Books for Coping with the Holidays 

Available on Amazon

More Resources on the Holiday Blues 

More articles on Coping with the Blues.
Holiday Blues - General Information
The holidays are supposed to be a joyful time of good cheer and optimistic hopes. From the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Beat the Holiday Blues
University of Maryland experts examine the causes of depression around the holidays, and offer advice on how to manage the stress and anxiety associated with this time of year.
Healing the Holiday Blues
Healing the Holiday Blues -- a holistic approach to coping with depression by Kenneth Porter, M.D. from Beliefnet.com
Those Holiday Blues
From Dr. Gail Carlson, School of Medicine from the University of Missouri Extension.
The Blues: Holiday or Anyday
Information on the Blues from the Journey of Hearts website.
Holiday Hangover Blues
One of the most difficult times for stepfamilies can be the holiday season. This article offers some helpful suggestions for stepfamilies in beating the blues.
Holiday 'blues' can be lessened with a few easy tips
Holiday blues effect many people, but there is something to can do about it from Michael Moran, M.D., at the Adult Psychosocial Medicine at National Jewish Medical and Research Center.
Suggestions for Dealing with the Holiday Blues - LegacyConnect
Holidays and special dates can trigger episode blues, feelings loneliness, depression and melancholy, especially if one is still in an active grieving process.

A Different Perspective on a Charlie Brown Christmas 

What else might the Blues be? 

During the holidays there are several different things that people can be feeling or experiencing. People who are feeling excessive stress, anxiety, grief or depression may benefit from talking with a professional.
  • Holiday Blues
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Grief
  • SAD - Seasonal Affect Disorder
  • Depression

Getting Professional Help for the Blues 

Anyone who is experiencing the "blues" consistently over a period of several weeks (more than 2 weeks) should seek professional help.

Some of the people that can be contacted to help someone feeling more than the blues include: physicians, primary care providers, mental health care providers, counselors, clergy, crisis lines, support groups, or mental health centers.

Talking with a professional or taking a mental health screening test can help assess whether it's the "blues" or depression.

Image Source: Modified Microsoft Image.

More Resources for Coping with Loss and Grief 

Remember that the Blues tend to be Short Term 

The Holiday Blues can be emotional, intense and upsetting, but they tend to be short-term, lasting at the most around two weeks.

The Blues end and people generally get better once the holiday season is over and they get back into a normal daily routine.

Image: Modified Microsoft Image

The Holiday Blues end and people generally get better once the holiday season is over and they get back into a normal daily routine.

Holiday Blues in the News 

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A Squidoo Lens on Wishing You Were Home for Christmas 

This lens also includes some resources for coping with the holidays for those who are apart from loved ones.

Blog Posts about the Holiday Blues 

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Have a Josh Groban Christmas 

One of my best antidotes for feeling blue is listening to the uplifting and inspiring music from Josh Groban.

One way to cope with the blues
is to do something nice
for someone else.

Donate to Donors Choose 

One way to cope when you are feeling blue is to do something nice for someone else. Donating to your favorite worthy cause is one way.

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Reader Feedback on the Holiday Blues Lens 

Your place for feedback, thoughts, ideas

What do you think about the Holiday Blues?

mistermint wrote...

Nice lens but blues are nothing compared to the plight of many who have nothing and no time to be blue. Sorry but this smacks of insecure Americanism. We have no right to feel blue as long as we have health, some food inside us and hopefully a dry roof, so many do not have any one of these basic requirements. let us hope Obama changes the planet for the greater good. Happy Xmas to you!

ReplyPosted December 22, 2008

Ener-G wrote...

Great lens! You truly are "comfortdoc." For some reason, paying attention to the stars and the beauty of the night really lifts my spirits. Once as I was gazing at the stars, someone started playing "Silent Night" on their trumpet and the notes rang out in the clear,crisp air. I use that as a reference point for other holidays that aren't quite as "miraculous."

ReplyPosted December 10, 2008

Joan4 wrote...

So many suffer through the holidays -- this is a great lens! Holidays are extremely difficult after the loss of a loved one, a divorce, or even a move to a new location. I hope many people who need this information read and are comforted.

ReplyPosted December 10, 2008

OhMe wrote...

I am featuring this lens on my Thanksgiving Prayer. Thank you.

ReplyPosted November 14, 2008

rms wrote...

Thank you for adding this great lens to the Best Christmas Ever group!

ReplyPosted December 03, 2007

 
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Benefits Donors Choose 

This lens benefits Donors Choose, an organization dedicated to addressing the scarcity and inequitable distribution of learning materials and experiences in our public schools.