How do I combat my holiday depression?

Question

I normally suffer from periodic depression, but it always gets worse around the holidays. It seems especially bad this year since I broke up with my girlfriend and I'm stuck working at my crappy overnight job on christmas eve to christmas morning and on new years eve. How can I pull myself out of it and cheer up?

Answer 1

Working night shift is probably part of the reason for your depression. You are up all night working, and sleeping all day, or at least a large part of it. People need sunshine to thrive. I understand the shift work blues, because I have worked them for quite a few years as a nurse. When most people are dressing up to go partying, I was dressing in a uniform and heading off to a job taking care of sick people. I soon became depressed too. I now work at basically the same occupation, only in the daytime. I don't have the depression anymore, because I am sleeping normal circadian rhythms, like most people, and can enjoy a life outside of working and sleeping. Perhaps you need to look for a different job. I wouldn't quit over the holidays, but start looking and once you have found a better job, then quit the one you are in. Just don't quit before you have another job. That can be dangerous. I'd visit with your doctor too. There could be a medical reason for your depression. Often people have chemical imbalances that can be easily fixed by taking the right medication for a while.

Answer 2

I'd say the best way is to get out there in the next couple of weeks and volunteer like crazy!!! The Salvation Army needs bell ringers to stand and ring the bell at shopping centers to collect money. If the schedule is full, ask if there's anything else you can do. They have about a million toys to distribute, so I'm sure they'd appreciate the help. Do you have neighbors? If so, do something nice for them. Take them some fruit and candy for Christmas. Bake them some cookies (you can manage the slice & bake kind, I'm sure). Go to one of the local churches and ask if there's anyone in need of some extra help during the holidays. There might be a little old lady out there who needs her sidewalk swept or her car washed.

Yes, it will be tough working on Christmas eve, but just try not to focus on what you might be missing. If you have helped others during the days up until that time, you'll be thinking good thoughts of how much difference you have made in the lives of others by giving of yourself.

God bless you!

Answer 3

I can't say I've ever been depressed by the holidays, mostly disgusted by the obligatory greed fest. Several years ago I simply quit participating. It was awkward the first few years but eventually people got used to the idea that I'm not filling my shopping cart with rubbish just so I can scratch names off a list. These folks have kindly reciprocated by not buying rubbish just to scratch my name off their list. I think every body's happier for the change. I no longer feel obligated to host or attend holiday gatherings. I've "just happened" to be out of town on the last two Thanksgivings and glad of it. I don't know if this attitude would work for most people - I admit that I'm a bit of a misanthrope. But I don't think I'm the only one around. Breaking with a girlfriend can be rough but things could be worse. I'm married to mentally ill, nagging shrew. And being a misanthrop I have no friends or social life. Life is a (b)itch for everybody is some way or another.

I say screw their silly holidays.

Answer 4

once you finish with your job on christmas, go home and enjoy the holiday. christmas is a time to relax and not think about the stresses of every day life. this christmas think of the good times you had with your girlfriend and not the break-up or bad times. on new years, think of the happy times you had in 2006 and be thankful that 2007 is coming. 2006 may have been hard, but now it is coming to an end and 2007 cant be any worse. just think of new years as a time where we lose all of our memories of bad times in the past year to make room for good times in the upcoming year. just remember that when the clock strikes 12 you get a paycheck and a new year full of new ideas and joys.

Answer 5

That was one of my hardest tasks to manage. At first I went to the beaches of Florida and then found I needed the trimmings and food just not a whole lot. Don't ever go as the hobo to another family's Christmas. Only do the Christmas thing with parental family or a lover person. Start telling yourself that damn it is a great holiday and you love lots about it. You know we don't have anything near as good.

Answer 6

This is a bad time of year for a lot of folks. Try to spend more time with friends or family and they aren't around call them that can work too. If they are there to talk too volunteer to help out somewhere, with the elderly or with children at the hospital. This is a time for giving so give yourself, children in hospitals are feeling very lonely and so are the elderly with no family to come see them, it makes for a long day.

Answer 7

Keep yourself busy and do things with friends. Go out and enjoy the sights in your city - even if it's alone. Being alone doesn't have to suck - in fact, there are tons of perks to being alone. Think of all the possibilities out there and all the people you can meet.

Answer 8

I'm in the same boat i just cry alot and try to stay busy but even then i cry alot too so im at a loss as well..

Answer 9

Dont think of the shitty things.

Don't think about her. Do things that will occupy your mind.

Every morning when you wake up think about the things that make you happy..

Do something that you enjoy.

Answer 10

You could buy yourself something totally awesome that you don't need and can't afford. Or get some drugs.