Though the holidays are usually a time of joy and celebration, for some people they can bring depression and stress, according to Mental Health America.
Holiday blues can have many causes, including stress, fatigue, limited finances, unrealistic expectations or loneliness. The pressures of shopping, entertaining, family get-togethers and overnight visitors can add even more tension.
Stress may cause people to become depressed, have headaches, drink too much alcohol, overeat or have trouble sleeping.
The American Psychological Association and other experts offer these tips for coping with holiday stress and depression:
In some cases, the holiday blues are caused by seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is the result of fewer hours of exposure to sunlight during the winter months. It can often be treated with light therapy.
Reviewed 5/27/2020