Holiday Depression

[salt-n-light]

Ive noticed within the past 2 years that when big holiday or when my birthday comes around, I always feel depressed. The dread of the world and all the flaws of my life just comes flooding in my heart and I start to weep. Even if there was something to look forward to, just reflecting on the pain I went through is traumatic to me.

I read online how to relieve them, but I'm always involve and helpful and around family and/or friends. Its just that its hard to stop replaying hurtful events in my mind.

Does anyone experience that, and how did you overcome/deal with it. Need advice.

 

[drjean]

IDK if it helps at all but you are not alone in these feelings. And that is just what they are: feelings!

Often during holidays people begin to reminisce about an earlier happier time---especially around any holiday that may have been special. It might even be the memory of just ONE of those times over the years, yet somehow they cling to it.

Another underlying factor in holiday depression is the feeling (again, a feeling) that everyone else is happy, why aren't I? Comparing ourselves to others or when we were in other situations is never a good thing! Generally, few people are truly as happy as we may think they are "all the time". Feelings lie to us.

Try and think about a truly happier time, one event or one thing that you really have enjoyed and try not to dwell upon how unhappy you are feeling right now?

I enjoy my hot coffee with whipped cream...and I am mindful/contemplative about it when I drink it! And then there's a line in the "Mary Did You Know" song...while I enjoy the entire song the line "and when you kissed your little baby, you kissed the face of God!" just enthralls my heart!

Paul wrote about putting the past behind us, and in Philippians 4:8 we receive this wonderful advice from God: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

I celebrate Christmas, Christ's birth and coming to save us, daily.... try to think about this being "just another day" in the calendar year and focus upon Jesus coming to earth for you. (((hug)) This, too, shall pass.

 

[Basil the Great]

Holiday depression is a fairly common problem it seems, especially at Christmas some say. I believe that the best way to fight depression is to do some volunteer work at a hospital or food pantry or soup kitchen or homeless shelter. if that is not possible, then try and make a list of all of the blessings in your life and concentrate on them, somewhat like the previous poster referred to. May God bless you and send you peace.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Ive noticed within the past 2 years that when big holiday or when my birthday comes around, I always feel depressed. The dread of the world and all the flaws of my life just comes flooding in my heart and I start to weep. Even if there was something to look forward to, just reflecting on the pain I went through is traumatic to me.

I read online how to relieve them, but I'm always involve and helpful and around family and/or friends. Its just that its hard to stop replaying hurtful events in my mind.

Does anyone experience that, and how did you overcome/deal with it. Need advice.

Why not focus on Revelation 1 and the account of the Lord Jesus as Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last? A really good way of getting perspective on one's life, on time and eternity!

I hope you had a good day yesterday!

 

[salt-n-light]

Thank you all for the advice, I will take them all into account. Ive also started to take some supplements to help relieve the symptoms, as well as pay more closely to my diet. I think part of the reason is that my family have some sort of history with mental illness, and major events just tend to make my moods go low real quickly.

Btw, I pushed through and after a walk, I was able to be more functional, helpful, and enjoyed Christmas

Continue to keep me in prayers.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Thank you all for the advice, I will take them all into account. Ive also started to take some supplements to help relieve the symptoms, as well as pay more closely to my diet. I think part of the reason is that my family have some sort of history with mental illness, and major events just tend to make my moods go low real quickly.

Btw, I pushed through and after a walk, I was able to be more functional, helpful, and enjoyed Christmas

Continue to keep me in prayers.

Fresh air, a healthy diet and exercise are really good also!