The holiday season is a joyous time for some. However, for many, the season weighs heavily on their mental health.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The American Psychological Association says the holiday season significantly impacts mental health, with studies showing high stress levels, increased anxiety, and depression.
Rachel Baker, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at UPMC’s Western Behavioral Health in Williamsport, says there are many factors as to why people get feelings of depression and sadness during the holiday and winter seasons. She says social stressors, psychological issues, and biological factors all contribute.
“There’s a lot of pressure with winter months, you have the holidays, so there’s financial stress that adds up quickly, you isolate more. Shorter days, winter months, you’re stuck inside, it kind of takes us back to COVID times where we can’t get out as much, we can’t interact as much as we would like to with people,” said Baker, LCSW, UPMC Western Behavioral Health, Williamsport.
Baker says the holidays also bring you around family, where there may be tension or conflict. Keeping a busy holiday schedule can also be a lot. She says depression can be felt for a shorter time, whereas seasonal affective disorder tends to go on for several months or longer.
“You don’t feel like getting out of bed, or it’s harder to get out of bed. You can’t complete your day-to-day tasks, maybe you’re having a hard time going to work, having a hard time with keeping up with tasks around the house. Maybe you even struggle with oversleeping, overeating. Those are things that are more than just that seasonal depression or holiday depression,” said Baker.
Baker says everyone copes differently, but there are certain strategies you can implement. She suggests opening your blinds and getting as much sunlight as you can, try to get outside even if it’s cold, meet up with or even text a friend to let them know you need help and are struggling.
“Keep up with your hobbies, so do those things that you really enjoy doing. Read a book, go practice some mindfulness, maybe you join an exercise class, physical exercise is really good. Try to maintain your typical sleep schedule, that’s really important to us overall,” said Baker.
Baker says she sees a mix of younger and older people coming in with this type of depression and sadness. When it comes to seasonal affective disorder, women experience it often, but everyone can have those periods of time when they feel down.
“I always encourage people to go reach out to their family doctors, their primary care physicians, and talk about different options. They are a really good resource to then refer you to additional services depending on the area in which you live,” said Baker.
Baker says you can also call 9-8-8, the national crisis hotline, to connect you to local resources.