You may struggle to feel merriment and enjoyment while the anticipation and bliss of the holiday season are practically palpable. You may avoid drinks with colleagues after work, become restless when scrolling through social media feeds, dread holiday shopping, and feel gloomy amid all the festive lights and cheery songs. You just want to be alone and sleep until January. At the same time, you might feel guilty and frustrated about how you feel.

But you're not alone in feeling this way. Not everyone feels the same joy during the holidays. The holiday season can be challenging for some people, especially if they've experienced a loss this year. It can make their feelings of loneliness and depression even more intense.

If you're still grieving the loss of a loved one or navigating the loss of a significant relationship, health, or career, the holiday season might exacerbate your feelings of loss and despair. It's okay to seek help if you're feeling this way. Depression treatment by a skilled counselor can help, equipping you with valuable strategies to cope with depression and loneliness during the holidays.

7 Ways to Cope with Depression and Loneliness During the Holidays: A Compassionate Guide from a Counselor

Making self-care a priority during the holiday season is essential to helping you navigate your complex feelings and protect your well-being. So, how to help yourself when you find it hard to "let your heart be light?"

Here are seven tips from a therapist on how to handle these difficult emotions and navigate depression and loneliness during the holiday season.

1. Embrace Your Feelings

It's okay to feel sad during the holidays. Just recognize and accept those feelings. Don't let the pressure of holiday joy and excitement get to you. It's okay to feel down if you're still grieving or not feeling the holiday excitement for any other reason. You have the right not to feel super excited, decline those party invites, or skip out on holiday shopping if you don't feel up to it.

1. Set Boundaries

When dealing with family during the holidays, whether your family of origin or in-laws, it is perfectly acceptable to set boundaries. Holiday get-togethers with family are a great way to catch up and share special moments with those you love, but they can also be very stressful. So, you don't have to host a party, fly back home for the holidays, show up at every gathering, or stay the entire time. Prioritize your needs and well-being, and do what feels right for you.

1. Limit Social Media Use

Even though most of us are aware of it, we frequently forget how social media creates unrealistic pictures of holiday joyfulness, intensifying our FOMO and feelings of inadequacy.

So, when seeing all those happy-smiling-well-dressed people who travel, laugh, and host parties in wonderfully decorated houses, you may easily fall into the trap of feeling even lonelier and more despondent.

Limit the time you spend on social media platforms and instead spend it on more meaningful activities, be it mindfulness meditation or watching your favorite movie.

1. Find Comfort in Small Traditions

Create a new festive tradition or indulge in ones you've had since childhood. Small seasonal traditions like watching a classic movie, crafting DIY ornaments, or cooking a special meal can provide a welcome distraction from unsettling thoughts, give you a sense of control, and improve your mood.

Starting a new ritual with your children, parents, or friends may help honor the departed and bring some consolation if you are grieving the loss of a loved one.

1. Volunteer

Helping others can help shift your focus from depression and loneliness and provide feelings of purpose and companionship, so consider volunteering in your community. Connecting with people from your community can lessen feelings of isolation, shift your perspective, and improve your self-esteem and confidence.

1. Learn a new Hobby or Skill

Learning a new skill or starting a new hobby is a great way to divert your attention away from negative emotions and provide a sense of accomplishment and purpose.

1. Talk to a Professional

If your feelings of depression and loneliness become overwhelming, get professional depression treatment. A therapist can help validate and normalize your feelings, helping you acknowledge that it is okay if your experience does not correspond to the general mood of joy and delight. They can help you work through your feelings, navigate grief, and develop coping methods for managing stress and negative emotions.

To find out more about our services, click here: depression treatment.