What are the Holiday Blues?

The holiday blues are temporary feelings of anxiety or depression during the holiday season. There’s shopping, social events and expectations of a good holiday, and these pressures can be stressful. You may also missing loved ones or have negative feelings come back from past memories of the holidays. With all these events going on, you may forget about good nutrition or lack the motivation to participate in physical activity. All of these things and more can contribute to the holiday blues.

The holiday blues are sometimes associated with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), but the two are not directly related. A person with holiday blues can also have SAD. SAD is a diagnosable problem linked to fewer hours of sunlight during the winter. People with SAD have symptoms of depression throughout the fall and winter.

When someone has the holiday blues their symptoms will likely not be as severe as depression, and can usually be helped by reaching out for support. If you’re having a tough time starting the conversation, you can see the tips for talking to someone.

What are some symptoms of the holiday blues?

• Tiredness, lack of energy or motivation
• Tension
• Frustration
• Loneliness or isolation
• Sadness
• A sense of loss

What can you do to manage the holiday blues?  

Remember that the holidays blues are short-term, and if you feel like it’s something you’re going through, that’s okay! Find the supports you need and take things one a time.