We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience, personalize content, customize advertisements, and analyze website traffic. For these reasons, we may share your site usage data with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners. By clicking ”Accept,” you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy. You can change your cookie settings at any time by clicking “Preferences.”

Find a therapist
What is therapy?
Who needs therapy?
How to choose a therapist
For professionals

Login
Get Listed

TherapyRoute logo
TherapyRoute Banner
Find a therapist
For professionals
Login
 |  Get Listed
Search by location
By anything else
Find nearby Therapists, Counsellors, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Psychoanalysts, and Mental Health Clinics.


Login
 |  Get Listed
TherapyRoute Logo
Find a therapist
For
Professionals

Find a therapist

|

What is Therapy?

|

Who Needs Therapy?

|

How to Choose a Therapist?



Do You Find the Holidays Stressful and Depressing?


#Aging, #Depression, #Loss, #Relationships Updated on Oct 17, 2024
Allan N Schwartz, Louisville, United States

Allan N Schwartz

Louisville, United States

The Holiday season can be a lonely and depressing time for many people. However, there are ways to cope and help is available both during and after this season.

TherapyRoute Banner

Why do many people experience the holiday season with unpleasantness and discomfort? The answers are complex. It’s important to point out that many, even most people are not filled with stress, anxiety, and depression during the holiday season. The holidays begin around Halloween and extend to Thanksgiving and come to completion at Christmas and New Year.

 

So, why do the Holidays become a problem for some people?

People who feel lonely during the year are likely to feel it more keenly at a time when families are together and celebrating. Among those who can experience an increase in loneliness are those elderly people who have lost many loved ones and whose children and grandchildren live far away. Loss can be felt with a renewed keenness at this time of the year because of all of the memories that are inevitably stirred up.

Family life is often stressful and getting together with parents and other family members can provoke or renew old feuds. Instead of being a time of joy it becomes a time of resentment and conflict.

There are usually expectations that must be met. Among these are providing gifts. However, the problem that often emerges has to do with what gifts are most appropriate and most wanted by relatives, friends and extended family members.

There is a lot of stress associated with this time of year because dinners have to be prepared and that means a lot of cooking. Houses must be decorated in ways that look festive and for those who are perfectionistic, this is particularly difficult.

 

Are Things Really This Bad During the Holidays?

The answer to the above question is, not necessarily. For example, it is not true that the suicide rate goes up before, during or after the holidays. In addition, the holiday season does not create or cause depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Rather, those with mental illnesses may feel it more keenly at this time. It is true that social isolation, loneliness, and depression are miserable ways to feel but those are problems that did not start with the holiday.

 

Some Coping Mechanisms

I think it’s important not to have high expectations about family behaviour when everyone gets together. A realistic approach will result in much less disappointment afterwards.

Do not refuse to participate if neighbours invite you over because they recognize that you are alone. Even if you struggle with social phobia it is better to accept than to refuse.

During the entire year, it’s important to not drown sorrows in alcohol. All that succeeds in doing is to increase depression. This is equally true of illicit drugs.

Lots of exercises are really important. It’s always important to consult your physician before starting an exercise regimen. The connection between exercise and improved mood and function is a proven fact.

Finally, it’s important to not over-eat just because it’s holiday time. That doesn’t mean that people shouldn’t indulge a little bit but it’s important to not over-do it those who are already seriously over-weight, have diabetes, heart conditions or other health problems.

If you are prone to depression and anxiety during this festive time or anytime during the year, help is available. You are invited to contact me by phone, email or through my website.

 





FURTHER READING...



Read Article: Marriage and Couples Counselling by Country and City

Marriage and Couples Counselling by Country and City


Read Article: Affair Trade

Affair Trade


Read Article: Medication Management for Depression

Medication Management for Depression


Read Article: Uncommon Sexual Interests  - A Guide to and Comprehensive List of Paraphilias

Uncommon Sexual Interests - A Guide to and Comprehensive List of Paraphilias


Important:

TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.





TherapyRoute Banner

Find a Therapist


Find skilled psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors near you.


CITIES

Leiden Amsterdam The Hague

You may like



TherapyRoute Banner
6 STEPS TO RELIEVE COVID-19 ANXIETY

TherapyRoute Banner
Depression and Anxiety – which therapy is for you?

TherapyRoute Banner
Our Love Imprint

TherapyRoute Banner

Find a Therapist


Find skilled psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors near you.


CITIES

Leiden Amsterdam The Hague


TherapyRoute Banner

You may like



6 STEPS TO RELIEVE COVID-19 ANXIETY
6 STEPS TO RELIEVE COVID-19 ANXIETY

Depression and Anxiety – which therapy is for you?
Depression and Anxiety – which therapy is for you?

Our Love Imprint
Our Love Imprint


Mental health professional? Add your practice.

Mental health professional? Add your practice.

Find mental health professionals near you
Find a therapist near you
About us
Terms and conditions
Privacy agreement
Contact us

© 2025 THERAPYROUTE PTY LTD