Tis the season to be jolly…fa-la-la-la-la. Right, it may be a season to be jolly for most of us but there are a few out there who experience the holiday blues for so many reasons. I can see it in the emails I receive. I am not a counselor but for some reason, more and more visitors email me asking for advice for all sorts of reason. Of course, their questions are for my eyes only. They are sad, lonely and depressed. The suicide rate is even the highest during this holiday season. How I wish I could help but I am not a professional counselor though I can offer friendly advice. I’ve gathered a few tips for those feeling the holiday blues. As you might know, the holiday blues is defined as a feeling of sadness, loneliness, depression and even anxiety that often occur in and around the holiday season.” You or your loved one might be having a temporary spell of the blues without knowing it. There is nothing abnormal about having the “holiday blues,” which are more like a mood than any sort of lasting condition. Depression, anxiety, and other psychological symptoms are associated with the holidays because this season brings back memories of a happier time in our lives.
Who experiences the Blues?
People who might be at risk for feeling blue at the holidays include:
How will you recognize you have the blues?
How does one cope with the Holiday Blues?
For anyone feeling blue during the holidays can follow some very basic, common sense steps to help in coping with the blues.
What does one do to feel less blue during the Holidays?
There are several things that can help in making it easier to manage the blues.
Source: Holiday Blues - Feeling Sad, Lonely or Depressed During the Holidays?
For those facing Christmas alone for the first time due to death of a loved one, I encourage you to reach out to someone you trust and share your feelings with them. Devote a place and time before Christmas Day in which you can openly honor your loved one and acknowledge your feelings. On Christmas Day, intentionally set your focus on family and friends who not only share in your loss, but who bring precious gifts of love and support to aid in your healing journey.
Be aware that the hurts of a loss, a broken relationship, or simply of being alone are magnified during the holiday. Look for those around you who are hurting and care for them, spend time with them, love them.
For those that lost a child, read two entries I wrote last year, on Coping and Surviving Christmas and Handling the Holidays.
Just know that while the Holiday Blues can be emotional, intense and upsetting, these feelings tend to be temporary and last at the most for about 2 weeks. The Blues end and people generally feel better once the holiday season is over and get back into their normal daily routine.
For many years after my son died, Christmas was a dreaded holiday by my husband. In turn, I dreaded his sour mood. Today, I look forward to the holiday season more than ever. I smile and sigh that finally my husband is able to handle the holidays a little bit better. I gather in my blessings and count them all. I count the blessings of the most important people in my life and I find the peace that comes with counting a holiday of joy remembered and love shared. Love never dies, and the light always shines in our hearts and home.
This is about me ( a 
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December 18th, 2007 at 6:25 am
oh you’re so right. even some christmas songs are very melancholic.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:02 am
noemi,
my daughter just recently went through the holiday blues or school blues. she was crying for weeks and there was not much i could do but to comfort her over the phone 3 times a day. i turned to a friend of mine for help and she gave me a small piece of paper loaded with useful and nifty reminders:
STOP!
* accept the feeling - it cannot hurt you
* give yourself permission to feel anxious
* breathe slowly through your nose
* calm yourself with positive self-talk
* let go, float, and flow.
* distract yourself, it is only anxiety.
* use the adrenalin in a positive pursuit.
* don’t let a bad day scare you.
* give yourself credit for how far you’ve come.
* let time pass. IT WILL GO AWAY.
she is feeling better now and having a good time in Hawaii with a Capella group. i also told her to walk or exercise everyday to release serotonin in the brain.
December 18th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
@belle- at least you talked to her over the phone. Those tips are really sound and helpful, It acknowledges the feelings are not wrong but that there is a way out of it if one wants to. She’ll feel better once she’s home with you.
December 18th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
I know someone who refuses to have any christmas decor at their home. And that’s only because they lost a child a year ago. What I know is the surviving children look forward to christmas traditions they were used to. It’s sad if one affects the rest.
December 18th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
@joanne- i guess that’s how they deal with the blues. One can even start a new tradition to ease the sadness.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:17 am
I am experiencing the blues. Thank you so much for the tips. I’m glad to know that I am not alone in this feeling.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:19 am
My sister is so broken hearted because her boyfriend just broke off with her. Right now she sleeps all the time whch makes me wonder if she is depressed. I’ll go talk to her now.
December 19th, 2007 at 8:04 am
i have holiday blues for a few reasons:
- death of my grampa
- death of a friend
- away from my family (i miss my son)
- just got a car, i’m getting anxiety from driving
- shorter days, longer nights (5pm = dark)
- christmas ate my budget
my treatment for the blues…. my wonderful guinea pigs
love my pets
December 19th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
ive also been in an emotional roller coaster this year. its really tough. and until now i still loathe hearing that “pasko na sinta ko” song.
December 19th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
@issai- am glad you have a pet. They really comfort us .
@eric- ack there are just so many pasko sinta ko versions. It’s sickening.
December 21st, 2007 at 6:30 am
[…] I think this is what Noemi calls “holiday blues.” But no, I’m not depressed. I still function like I used to, I’m just favoring quieter moments as opposed to loud parties. I know this sounds crazy, but I miss my dog Sheero so much—Christmas just isn’t the same without her
[…]
December 21st, 2007 at 6:30 am
[…] I think this is what Noemi calls “holiday blues.” But no, I’m not depressed. I still function like I used to, I’m just favoring quieter moments as opposed to loud parties. I know this sounds crazy, but I miss my dog Sheero so much—Christmas just isn’t the same without her
[…]
January 6th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Nice Blog. I have been looking for blogs and such that I can relate to. I invite you to come to my blog and join me in my delightful spiral into death depression and nothing.
Thanks for your time. Remain happy ?