Holiday Depression and Stress Facts

Holiday depression and stress facts 

• A number of factors, including unrealistic expectations, financial
  pressures, and too many commitments can cause stress at holiday time.
• Certain people may feel depressed around the winter holidays due toseasonal affective disorder (SAD), sometimes
  referred to as seasonal depression.
• Headaches, excessive drinking, overeating, and insomnia are some of the possible consequences of
  poorly managed holiday stress.
• Those suffering from any type of holiday depression or stress can benefit from increased
  social support during this time of year. Counseling or support groups can also
  be beneficial.
• In addition to being an important step in preventing the symptoms of
  seasonal affective disorder, regular exposure to light that is bright,
  particularly fluorescent lights, significantly improves depression in people
  with SAD during the fall and winter.
• Setting realistic goals and expectations, reaching out to friends, sharing
  tasks with family members, finding inexpensive ways to enjoy yourself, and
  helping others are all ways to help beat holiday stress.

Help is  available to individuals and families 24 hours a day by calling the Counseling
Center’s crisis team at 330-264-9029 - or any of the Counseling Center office
locations.