The holidays are supposed to be joyful. But the stress of shopping, cooking, cleaning, entertaining and (potential) family conflict can make this time of year, frankly, kind of miserable for some people.
If the holidays tend to bring you down, you’re not alone. More than half of Americans report feeling stressed, depressed, fatigued or anxious, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The holidays can especially get tough if you’ve lost loved ones recently.
There are ways to pick yourself up in the Thanksgiving-to-Christmas rush. The Mayo Clinic and other organizations recommend several ways, including:
- Planning ahead and keeping things simple
- Sticking to a budget
- Not being afraid to say "no"
- Taking a breather now and then (perhaps by getting some exercise)
- Seeking out the sun
The holiday blues may also be related to seasonal depression, which is typically kicking into high gear right about now anyway.
So, try to stay jolly and a look on the bright side—Christmas comes only once a year.
