The Mom Crowd

The holidays are supposed to be a time of happiness, joy and good tidings. But there are plenty of mixed emotions that can be triggered when the holidays are upon us. The treasure trove of emotions can run the gamut from excitement and elation to sadness, anxiety and depression.

There are plenty of things that can contribute to holiday blues. These include unrealistic expectations, loneliness, nostalgia, anxiety and fear. No one is immune to having to cope with the holiday blues.

How then can you avoid the holiday blues or downright holiday depression?

Rethink Your Expectations

One thing that can help is to revise the expectations you have as well as your priorities. If you put too much pressure on yourself by expecting the holidays to be perfect then this is sure to make you feel down. In order to reduce your stress makes sure that your standards for the holidays are not impossible to reach.

Keep Socializing to a Minimum

Spreading yourself too thin over the holidays is sure to sink you into a black hole that is very blue. To prevent this from happening do not schedule too many activities for the holiday season and don’t overdo the socializing and entertaining. A little goes a long way and it is better to spend quality time with a few people in your life whom you are closest to as opposed to large gatherings of people that you barely know. Too much socializing with acquaintances and strangers is sure to make you feel worse during the holidays as opposed to better.

Shop Differently This Year

If you are one of those people who get stressed about finding the right gifts for the people in your life then steer clear of the malls and the crowds that are to be found there. Go to smaller shops and local businesses in your town as opposed to the large box stores where the lineups will be long. Other options to help you in this regard include shopping online, doing your shopping before the Christmas rush or making homemade gifts. Concerns over presents are sure to make a case of the holiday blues even worse.

Change Your Scenery

A change of scenery can help you to avoid the holiday blues or it can help you to get out of them if they have already descended upon you. If you can afford it then consider taking a trip over the holidays. The duration is not as important as the fact that you are taking yourself out of the seasonal equation and going somewhere to relax and unwind. If a trip is not within your budget then consider a day outing to somewhere that you have never gone before or somewhere you have not gone in a long time such as a museum or a park.

Watch What You Eat and Drink

Pay attention to your eating habits. It is easy to fall off the health wagon with what you are eating during the holiday season. While it is fine to enjoy a little seasonal cheer in the form of sweets and drinks do not consume too much and make sure that you continue to eat plenty of foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. One option is to allow yourself only one treat per day during the holiday season. If you do this then you will not deprive yourself of delicious goodies but you will not overindulge either. Remember too that both sugar and caffeine are found in plenty of desserts and in alcohol. Both of these ingredients can upset the balance of your emotions and can make you more vulnerable to mood swings and feeling just plain yucky.

Help Others

One of the best ways to avoid the holiday blues is to reach out and help those who are less fortunate than you are. When you get out of your own head and are able to lend a helping hand in your community this can lift your spirits and bring joy and hope into the lives of others. Find out where volunteers are needed during the holidays and then turn your attention in that direction. This is an excellent way to take your mind off your own troubles and to help shake those seasonal blues.