The “Holiday Blues,” or rather, the “Christmas Blues,” are considered a legitimate emotional concept. The feeling of sadness, stress, and/ or loneliness throughout the holiday season, especially for seniors, can be an annual, reoccurring, emotional challenge.
Sadness and stress can be caused by a plethora of issues, though primarily caused by grief from missing loved ones, financial pressures, family conflicts, or exceedingly lofty expectations to create the perfect holiday season. Maybe this is the reason many Christmas songs use the ‘Blues’ (music genre originated among African Americans around the 1860’s) to express a range of holiday sentiments, from joy, happiness, to all out melancholy.
For me, Christmas is bittersweet, especially since my father passed away in 2021. My parents dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Claus annually for several holiday events and parades, including Osceola Council on Aging Christmas celebrations. So, Christmas tends to be a slight trigger point of emotional sadness for me as well, especially since his passing.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMH), to better manage the Holiday Blues, it is important to reduce stress by simplifying your schedule and focusing on small, joyful activities. Additional strategies could include reconnecting with loved ones, seeking social support, and re-framing your mindset to appreciate what you have, versus focusing on what you have lost. Tips also include:
Exercising regularly: Physical activity can help combat feelings of anxiety and depression. Try 30 minutes of moderate activity at least four days per week.
Eat a balanced diet: Stay hydrated and eat foods which support mood, like whole grains, fish, and nuts.
Prioritize sleep: Maintain a consistent sleep schedule to help avoid depression and mood issues.
Practice relaxation: Take time for yourself each day. Relax while reading a book or listening to music.
By managing expectations, one can better allow for personal time. Examples include: Learning to say “no” by setting boundaries and managing expectations.
Simplifying activities: Avoid striving for perfection. Decrease commitments which feel overwhelming.
Taking breaks: Allow time to decompress, especially after the busy holiday season.
Connect with others: Spend time with friends and family, but limit contact with people who are difficult (including family).
Find new traditions: Brainstorm and create new traditions which align with personal values.
Reflect on positive memories: Write down the good things you have experienced during the season. Reframe your thinking to focus on future events and the New Year.
Consider professional help: If your symptoms persist, consider reaching out to a mental health professional.
Holiday spending can also increase stress levels due to societal pressure, gift expectations, and travel, leading to financial anxiety, and overspending. Increased debt can also trigger negative emotions which can impact mental health. A strategy to reduce holiday stress is to budget and plan. By creating a realistic budget for gifts, food, and travel, it will help keep your spending at bay, without going over budget.
A final tip to combat the Holiday Blues is supporting others with altruistic activities such as volunteering. These acts of kindness can help shift one’s focus from sad or negative feelings, to providing a sense of purpose.
The OCOA is always looking for additional volunteers both during the holidays and throughout the year. For more information, call Michelle Vega, OCOA Volunteer Coordinator at 407-846-8532.
In the meantime, my wish is for everyone to have a healthy, happy, holiday season, with an overwhelmingly positive spirit to carry us all through the New Year.
