Avoiding the Holiday Blues

The day after Thanksgiving may well be known as Black Friday for more than frenzied bargain-hunting. For some people, the day also marks the start of holiday blues.

“There is a pressure to feel merry,” says Philip Muskin, MD, professor of psychiatry at P&S. “The disparity between how you actually feel and what you think you are supposed to feel can cause guilt and confusion.”

With a seemingly endless stream of Christmas songs, holiday window displays, and sidewalk Santas, it is virtually impossible to resist the call to holiday cheer. Or is it?

Holidays can be a lonely time for some. “Also, separation from family members can be particularly painful at this time of year,” says Dr. Muskin.

Dr. Muskin offers these tips to ward off the holiday blues:

  • Do not take on more responsibilities than you can handle.
  • Do not put all your energy into just one day (e.g., Thanksgiving Day or New Year's Eve). The holiday cheer can be spread from one holiday event to the next.
  • Try to live "in the moment" and enjoy the present.
  • Keep in mind that just because you feel a certain way today doesn’t mean you’ll always feel that way. Try to look to the future with optimism.
  • Don't set yourself up for disappointment and sadness by comparing today with the "good old days."
  • If you are lonely, consider volunteering some time to help others.

For more advice on lifting your spirits this holiday season, listen to Dr. Muskin’s guest appearance on Columbia Psychiatry’s blogtalkradio show: http://bit.ly/1yPnv0p.