If you feel down around the holidays, you certainly aren t alone. The blues can also be caused by loneliness, sadness or grief over someone who is no longer there. The holidays are a tough time for people who are grieving or who are coming to terms with all sorts of losses in their lives. Not necessarily death of a loved one, but being away from people they care about, or being divorced or separated. We re talking about grief in the broadest sense, Doka says.
Holidays are a predictable low because of the memories they often raise.
There is also a seasonal component to holiday depression. All of these things contribute to making the holiday a tough time, Doka says. Make choices about what you want to do and whom you want to be with. If holiday shopping is stressful, then shop online or by catalog, or send a holiday check. Even if your choices don t turn out right, at least you won t feel pushed into something.