12. Go easy on the booze
It may be tempting to go for another glass of Chardonnay, but drinking too much, coupled with the impending hangover, can actually make your stress and anxiety worse. As drinking decreases the amount of ‘happiness hormone’ serotonin, it can affect your mood, sleep pattern and even short term memory. Drink responsibly and stay hydrated to keep holiday depression at bay.
Read How Yoga Can Help With Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Research Reveals
13. Take good rest
“Learn to relax. Your body is precious, as it houses your mind and spirit. Inner peace begins with a relaxed body.” – Norman Vincent Peale
Life is super busy for most of us throughout the year. So Christmas is a great time to catch up on some much-needed sleep. Take plenty of rest as being sleep deprived and fatigued can cause a lot of stress, anxiety and make you feel overwhelmed. Tuck into bed early and sleep for as long as you want. The best thing about the holiday season is not having to set an alarm for the next day.
14. Get professional help
If your holiday depression is affecting you excessively, then it will be wise to seek professional help. It may happen that you consistently feel anxious and depressed despite your best efforts. In such cases, visiting a doctor or a mental health professional can be a great idea.
Christmas lights in the winter darkness
“In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.”
– Sir Francis Bacon
Although it can get very dark even with all the bright and sparkly Christmas lights outside, you can still choose to light the darkness inside. By taking the right measures to protect yourself from stress and depression on Christmas and during the holidays, you can find inner peace and Christmas cheer.
Identify your depression triggers and develop strategies to counter them when they come up. With the right dose of positive thinking and proper planning, you can bring joy to yourself and to the world.
Stay true to yourself. Do not give in to the negative thoughts and emotions that surface inside. Do not isolate yourself. Get out of your head. Spend time with your family and friends as much as you can and appreciate the effort you’re putting in to fight this difficult battle.
Enjoy the little moments and the small Christmas miracles that brings joy to you and your loved ones.
Merry Christmas!
