For some, the winter holidays are the happiest time of the year. Between beloved relatives visiting, gift giving, and bountiful holiday meals, plenty of people ride through December on a wave of joy. However, many people suffer from bouts of depression around the holiday season, even if they don’t typically experience symptoms of depression. The chaos and the hustle and bustle of the holidays can be overwhelming, and it can make December an emotionally draining month. Many mental health providers see an uptick in depression treatment during the holidays. For those with depressive disorders, seasonal depression can begin in the Fall and last until early Spring.
The staff at Oceanfront Recovery in Laguna Beach knows that the holidays can be difficult for people all over the world. For those struggling with addiction or substance abuse disorder, depression can be even more difficult over the holidays. It’s easy to fall into dangerous habits when your mental health isn’t properly cared for. Our dual diagnosis treatment program addresses both addiction issues and mental illnesses to better treat our clients. By treating co-occurring disorders simultaneously, we find it easier to seek out the cause of someone’s substance use. For more information on our mental health services and dual diagnosis program, call us today at 877.296.7477.
Handling Depression Over the Holidays
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. You should always pay attention to how you’re feeling and what factors are contributing to those emotions. For those who experience depression over the holidays, it’s even more important that you care for yourself during the holiday season:
- Say no when you need to. It’s easy to become overwhelmed during such a busy time of year, and more commitments and obligations are more likely to hurt you than help you. Don’t be afraid to say no when your schedule is full.
- Take time for your usual hobbies if painting helps you stay stress-free in the summer. Set aside some time for it when you’re feeling low too. This can apply to crafts, sports, spending time with friends, or other activities.
- Get physical. Get some exercise in. Physical activity releases endorphins, so take a walk with family members after your holiday meal or spend an hour at the gym.
- Treat yourself. A little pampering can go a long way in combating seasonal depression. Schedule a massage or a manicure, or just run yourself a hot bath at home, with your favorite music on.
How Seasonal Depression Affects You
There are many reasons why the holidays are more difficult for some people than the rest of the year. If you have high expectations for holiday activities, things may not measure up, and that let-down can feel a lot worse than you may think. For some, family tension or conflict can be brought to a head when everyone gathers to celebrate. The winter holidays also bring with them numerous social media photos. You may find yourself comparing your family to the ones you see on your news feed.
Seasonal depression, sometimes known as seasonal affective disorder, can manifest itself in many different symptoms. These can include troubled sleep patterns, anxiety, mood swings and irritability, appetite changes, and more, in addition to just depression. It’s important that you take care of yourself if you notice these symptoms in yourself.
Discover the Depression Treatment Necessary at Oceanfront Recovery
Oceanfront Recovery offers mental health treatment for conditions including seasonal depression in conjunction with our substance abuse treatment programs. Our counselors work hard with people to determine what factors may be impacting their addictions. For many, a previously undiagnosed mental health issue is present. By treating that mental illness during your rehabilitation program, recovery will be that much closer. For more information, call us at 877.296.7477 or visit us online today.
