The chaos of the holidays is finally slowing down. It’s hard to believe that in just a few short days, we will be in another new year. The festivities and parties will be halting soon as we all prepare to stay in for most of the winter. And as challenging as it can be to deal with them, we will also miss the time we spent with family during the holidays.

Even though this time of year can be joyous, it can also be a period where we go through a bout of depression. Here are some reasons why people experience depression after the holidays.

Post-Holiday Depression

Staying Constantly Busy Fills Our Calendars, But Not Our Mental Health

The holidays are a hectic time; there is no denying it. Time is spent buying gifts, preparing meals, and hosting. Not to mention, there are still normal responsibilities like working, raising families, and household responsibilities. With three major holidays in such short proximity to each other, it feels like we never stop running from November to January.

It might be a joyous time, and it may not seem like it is affecting you, but having time to decompress can cause a lot of people to spiral into a state of depression. Once everything winds down, we often feel drained of any remaining energy. Going to a screeching halt from constantly being on the go can strain our mental health.

Family

You may come from a family where everyone has spread apart, and the only time you see them is during the holiday season. Or, it could be that you don’t have a family to celebrate with, and seeing everyone with theirs on social media just causes a sinking feeling in your stomach. In either case, depression can kick in after the holidays. Not being able to see family again until next year or knowing you don’t have any are heartbreaking.

silhouette of a man reading in a librarySeasonal Blues

Another form of depression is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This commonly starts to rear its head around the holidays when it gets colder. As mentioned earlier, there seems always to be something to look forward to during the holidays. But when it’s all over, this is often when the effects of SAD really ramp up. Faced with no longer having social obligations to distract us or festivities from making us happy, we are left to our own devices and mental health concerns.

How To Deal With Depression After The Holidays

Regardless of the reasons for your depression after the holidays, be gentle with yourself. There could be a myriad of reasons why you are feeling depressed or feeling more irritable than normal. It might make you feel more like a Scrooge than it does a Santa. Depression can kick in when you feel like you didn’t do enough or buy enough gifts. It’s important to remember that you are trying your best. Don’t let the voice inside your head convince you that YOU aren’t enough.

Second, don’t be afraid to talk to a friend or loved one about what you are going through. While they may not completely understand what you are going through, many people know what depression during, before, and after the holidays feel like. You may think that no one can understand what you are going through, but there’s a good chance someone will.

Third, you don’t deserve to self-isolate or withdrawal from the world if you don’t have anyone you feel comfortable talking with. If you are ready to talk things through and find a way to move forward, reach out to me for depression treatment. I am here when you are ready.