Make your holidays magical and sparkle like a snowflake!
Depression often has a way of creeping into our lives during the holiday season. It tends to bring about a certain degree of sadness, pulls us away from family and friends, forces negativity upon us, and takes away our energy, motivation, and livelihood.
How dare depression to be so unkind! Say “NO” to depression this holiday season and allow yourself to sparkle like a snowflake.
The good news is, depression doesn’t have to sabotage the magic you deserve to experience. That blank canvas you feel can be transformed to a rainbow of holiday colors. Gift yourself this holiday season and invite magic into your life.
Every year we’re repeatedly reminded of the joy to be experienced during the holiday season – from the colorful lights outlining every home we pass, the red kettles and Salvation Army bells ringing as we enter the grocery store, the traditional songs heard on every radio station, the beautiful poinsettias adorning the lamp posts downtown on main, and the season greetings from family and friends that frequent our mailbox. For many, instead of bringing joy, these constant reminders bring about sadness and feelings of anxiety. While the exact cause may not be known, worsening depression around the holidays is real, and is no fun for those suffering.
Depression often includes a myriad of symptoms that can become worse as we move into the winter months. This includes irritability, social withdrawal, appetite changes, sleeping issues, absenteeism from work or school, and worsening feelings of sadness. What many don’t know, is that persistent and unrelieved depression disrupts the body’s stress response, contributes to an autonomic imbalance (hyperactive sympathetic system and a hypoactive parasympathetic system) that’s associated with various pathological disease processes. Unfortunately, over time, this excessive energy demand on bodily systems can lead to premature aging and diseases, and even increases blood clotting. All the more reason to say “no” to depression and seek relief and change.
Let me help you find peace this holiday season
Change can be difficult, especially when you’re experiencing symptoms associated with depression. However, everyone has hope somewhere within them. So, muster up that smidge of hope and let’s make things happen. You won’t regret it, I promise!
Let’s start with the small things that can make a big difference in your mood. Hover over each of the images below and check out a few things you can to positively impact your mood.
Finding your way out of depression may not always be easy, but it can be done. There are times in our lives when we all feel down, but clinical depression is not just something that disappears. It often requires medications and types of therapy and life changes in order to experience long-term relief or remission. Everyone responds differently to the multitude of treatments and therapies available. Research indicates that for those who suffer from various types of depression , treating your depression with multiple modalities is key. For example, in addition antidepressant medications, you might try any of the following:
Creative distractions, such as the ones noted above
MIndfulness, positive thinking
Meditation
Yoga
Routine exercise
TMS therapy (transcranial magnetic stimulation)
Psychotherapy. counseling, group therapy
The ultimate goal is to find the joy that lives within you. Turn your hope into reality and sparkle like a snowflake this holiday season…and every year yet to come.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season full of peace and freedom from your symptoms of depression!