The holidays are coming, and with them 2 kind of depression. This may seem strange, but some people do not feel they have much to celebrate. They might have difficult family relationships, money worries, a lot of stress at work, high expectations put upon them, and other issues that can cause them to dread the end of year holidays when everyone else seems to be making merry.
Another reason is that the days are getting colder and shorter, which means more time indoors and fewer hours of sunlight. This can lead to seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Getting outside can help, but if your depression still continues, you might consider getting a special lamp that can lift SAD and improve your mood.
A third reason if you are a woman is that you night recently have had a baby. It is a joyful time, of course, but hormonal imbalance can trigger Postpartum Depression. Estimates show that 1 in 6 women will suffer from it. If you can’t seem to shake the ‘baby blues’, it might be time to seek help.
If you have experienced depression, you know how much it can affect your life. Overwhelming feelings of sadness can make your life much more difficult, making each day a challenge. What many people don’t realize is that the effects of depression are not simply internal. Just like with any other illness, depression can affect you physically. It can also impact your family, friends, job, and more.
Depression is now the #2 cause of disability in the world, so if you feel as though you are struggling this season, take step to relieve your depression and get your moods back on an even keel. Once you feel better, you can take steps to make this a good holiday season no matter what issues you’ve been struggling with.
Further Reading
Treating Depression and Anxiety Naturally
Dealing with Money Related Stress and Depression
How to Save Money This Holiday Season