by RYAN MILEJCZAK
Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care
The holidays are a time full of family, presents, and excitement. But for many, this time of year can also bring on stress and depression. The natural stress of family life and the pressures that come with the holidays can make it tough to enter the new year with a positive mindset. And for some, the winter months also bring another challenge: Seasonal Affective Disorder.
“Seasonal Affective Disorder is a pretty big problem this time of year,” says Dr. Amber Popovitz-Gale, or Dr. PG for short, a licensed clinical psychologist with Central Florida Health Care. “A lot of us are more prone to depression around this time.”
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern. While the exact causes for SAD aren’t known, one cause is thought to be lack of sunlight due to shorter days. Thankfully, there are many options for managing it.
“Light therapy can definitely be helpful,” says Dr. PG, referring to a therapy where a person sits in front of an artificial light that mimics natural sunlight. She adds, “Talk therapy can be helpful as well, and some people may need to seek out medication management.”
Of course, SAD isn’t the only cause for depression and other negative feelings around the holidays. Thankfully, whatever’s giving you the holiday blues, there are plenty of ways to help shake them off.
“One of the biggest things, and one of the hardest things, to do around this time of year is really prioritize your self-care,” says Dr. PG. “During the holidays and going into the new year, take that time to nurture not only your physical well-being, but also your mental and emotional well-being.”
This can be something as simple as taking 15 minutes of quiet alone time a day, going for a weekly massage, or making space for a weekly social activity. And more importantly, doing these things regularly.
“If you’re going to a social activity, make sure you go every week even if you don’t want to,” urges Dr. PG. “Put pressure on yourself to go out and engage even if it’s difficult. Make sure that whatever you do for self-care, you’re doing it consistently.”
Besides self-care, Dr. PG also stressed the importance of setting goals.
“Setting goals is a huge part of the new year. And that’s actually something that, whether you’re a goal setter or not, can be really helpful. Take the time to reflect on the last year’s highlights and challenges. What did you accomplish? Learn? What goals did you not achieve? The new year is a reset button to set new goals and reshape old ones.”
Another major cause of stress around this time of year is debt.
“Debt is a huge problem for a lot of us right now, and it’s important to try and stay positive,” Dr. PG says. “Goal setting is huge for helping you reduce debt, and there are plenty of resources online to help you save money even when you feel like you don’t have money to save.”
Finally, Dr. PG gave advice on dealing with one of the greatest sources of holiday stress for many: our families.
“The holidays can cause family conflict. Remember that we can have different conversations and disagree with each other, but if we start to feel like our heart is racing, it’s not a good time to engage in conversation. It’s important to have coping skills, like excusing yourself to do breathing techniques to bring your heart rate down and establishing clear boundaries with family members; you don’t want to talk about these things, you want to spend time with your family.”