Have you been feeling the Christmas blues lately? Don’t feel bad; you aren’t the only one. In fact, nearly a quarter of the population finds Christmas time more challenging than the rest of the year.
If the holiday season is said to be all about the festive mood, celebration, and cheer, then why do people feel depressed? Especially those people struggling with an addiction?
Today we look through the main reasons why you don’t feel jolly. We also give you suggestions on how to cope with those Christmas blues. Also, if you need a little extra help through this process, you can always find our help here.
Why Do You Feel Depressed During Christmas?
Biological Factors
Sociological Factors
Psychological Factors
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Why Do You Feel Depressed During Christmas?
The main holiday stresses vary from biological, psychological, and social, as reviewed by a study called The Holiday Syndrome. If you are actively battling an addiction or in recovery, chances are that these three factors may have particular triggers to your psyche. So let’s dive deep into each one of these stressors and find how you can prevent feeling the blues.
Biological Factors
Around Christmas, there may be lots of biological factors that are triggering you, and that’s normal. Not only do people tend to overeat, but they also experience increased alcohol intake which is also correlated to changes in sleep and activity patterns. And while it may be easy for some people to get back on track once the holidays are over, for people in recovery it’s much harder.
Keep your boundaries and know your limits. If you have a history of substance abuse, little changes in your everyday routine can make you feel rather unwell. That ultimately can also lead to the worsening of your condition and triggering depressive episodes. Say no to excess food, excess drinks, and anything excess. Keep your balance to assure feeling good.
Know that even if you are doing great on your journey, the cold seasons often make people feel unhappy. This happens due to many biochemical factors such as changes in melatonin levels, and serotonin levels as well as disruption in your biological clock. All this is linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder, which actually affects as much as 20% of the population. We discuss more of this condition and how you can avoid it here.
Social Factors
Another reason why you may be feeling overwhelmed due to the upcoming holiday season is the social pressure. While family gatherings may seem to be about the festive mood and celebration, sometimes the reality is a bit harsher.
Everyone has probably experienced a situation where you are sat at a table and are bombarded with dozens of questions about relationship status, job occupation, and even health-related matters. All this can lead to high levels of stress and can even cause social anxiety. If you have an experience with a mental condition or an addiction, you can take measures beforehand to avoid getting triggered or experiencing stress
Establish healthy boundaries with your family and tell them how they can support you during your recovery journey. Although it's easier said than done, make sure that you talk about unresolved drama beforehand. Find more resourceful information for families on how to cope with addiction here.
Psychological Factors
Psychological reasons why you feel more stressed around Christmas may vary widely. This can be anything from childhood-rooted trauma to active conflicts with your family. The studies also show that this time of the year may also be triggering due to our own unmet expectations and annual wishes.
At the end of the year, we may feel sad that yet another year has gone by and we have yet to achieve our success. In situations like this, it's best to practice gratitude techniques and focus on the good that you have achieved. Chances are that, in reality, you have much to be proud of.
Journaling, writing down your accomplishments, setting more realistic expectations, and simply being kinder to yourself are all ways you can focus on the good.
Find the root cause of your Christmas Blues
Although biological, psychological, and socio-facts may trigger you to feel down during the holiday season, sometimes the root of your problems may be much deeper.
Do you find it hard to stay sober during the holiday season due to stress? Perhaps you already know that you have an addiction. The best thing you can do in hard times is to seek help from specialized professionals. Going through your recovery journey all alone is not easy, and that’s why we are here to help.
