Do you also feel sad and lonely during the holidays? (Holiday Depression) Let's talk about this!

With the sound of Christmas bells and the arrival of the New Year, there is a festive atmosphere everywhere. For many, this is a time to celebrate and party with family and friends. But during this joyous time, some people feel a lot of sadness, loneliness, anxiety, and unbearable pressure. Have you felt the same? Then this article will be very important for you. We call this condition the "Holiday Blues".

Why do you feel sad and stressed during this festive season?

The truth is that sadness varies from person to person. What one person feels sad about may not be felt by another. But there are a few common reasons that affect many people during the festive season.

• Unbearable stress: Imagine going to the store to buy gifts, cleaning the house, preparing food, visiting relatives, and treating guests at home... When you have to do all of this at once, you feel a great burden and pressure.
• Physical fatigue: When these girls run around and work, they feel physically exhausted and mentally exhausted.
• Rising expectations: When you think things like, "Oh, not like last year," or "We should celebrate big like the Aryans," you get very disappointed if things don't turn out that way.
• Money issues: Expenses increase during the festive season. It's common for many people to spend more than they have and then worry about not being able to pay the bills. This financial pressure can be a huge burden on the mind.
• Loneliness: Perhaps your family and loved ones are not with you. Or you may feel lonely even when surrounded by many people. This loneliness is felt even more during the festive season.

As this pressure increases, some people begin to show various symptoms in their bodies, even though they may not think they have depression.

What can we do to relieve this stress?

Okay, so let's talk about some things we can try to get out of this situation. Although these may seem like small things, they can bring you a lot of relief.

Understand your limitations.

Don't think that "everything has to be perfect" or "everyone has to be happy." Be realistic about what you can and can't do. Don't try to do everything yourself. Delegate responsibilities to others in the household. Get used to saying "I can't" sometimes.

Organize the work.

Write down all the things you have to do in a row. Then prioritize the most important things and do them first. Instead of trying to do everything in one day, spread the work out over several days. That way, you'll feel less tired and stressed.

Live in the present.

Don't dwell on the past, thinking, "How good it was before," or worry, "Will the future be like this?" Try to be happy with even the little things you have in the moment. Living in the present is a great freedom for the mind.

Connect with others.

• If you feel lonely, spend time with friends and relatives who support you and understand you.
• Try to make a new friend.
• Call a friend or relative you haven't spoken to in a while and check in on them.
• If possible, spend your time helping someone in need. The mental happiness that comes from that is beyond imagination.

Make time for yourself.

In this busy time, it's essential to set aside some time for yourself. Read a book, listen to a song, watch a movie you like, or just take a moment to close your eyes.

Take care of money.

Keep a small note of your expenses during the festive season. Spend within your means. Because when the bills pile up after the festivities are over, it creates even more stress.

Does the weather and lack of sunlight affect this?

Yes, sometimes that can also affect it. In cold countries, people's moods change during the winter months when there is less sunlight. We call this condition Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) .

Although our country does not have such a severe winter, during the continuous rainy season and days with little sunlight, some people may experience laziness, drowsiness, and a little anxiety. For some, this affects them a little more severely.

Phototherapy is a treatment for people with SAD. This involves exposing them to artificial sunlight for about 30 minutes a day. This is a very effective treatment.

Also, some people with SAD have been found to have low levels of vitamin D in their bodies. This may be due to a lack of sunlight exposure. However, there is no clear evidence that taking vitamin D supplements will reduce these symptoms. So if you have such a problem, be sure to see your doctor for advice.