Reaching out to community may defeat holiday blues
Patricia Moore
Students who are unable to make it home over winter break may find the holiday season a bit depressing. Even when solo, holiday traditions may help when dealing with seasonal depression or the “holiday blues.”
According to psychology faculty member, Susan Horton, it can be comforting to observe holiday traditions.
“People love rituals. It’s history, it’s something we can predict,” she said.
Holiday ceremonies also help some people feel connected.
“It’s a way of acknowledging our past and family ties. The ritual itself brings the family back,” Horton added.
Student Anita Batt agrees that, “Traditions are our connection to our past and our family.”
Rituals such as baking cookies, decorating the home, and Christmas Eve celebrations with her grandchildren help Anita feel connected to her daughter who passed away last year.
“It’s a connection to her. She was and is a part of all of that,” said Batt.
In addition to the spiritual benefits of the experience, the logistics of holiday ceremonies can provide a much needed distraction.
Activities like shopping, putting up lights and preparing meals can all take one’s mind off of the loneliness of being away from family during the holidays, but it’s important not to overdo it.
Horton explained the importance of finding balance during this time.
Because of the tendency to romanticize the holiday season, expectations are often set unreasonably high.
“We can’t have that perfection that we mistakenly remember,” and according to Horton the disappointment “has a natural depressive quality.”
Her suggestions for dealing with the holiday blues include taking care of yourself by exercising, avoiding excessive eating or drinking, and volunteering for charity work.
“Depression is inward and you can get over it by going outward,” she explained.
Helping at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen, for example, is not only a much needed service to the community but can also be very beneficial to overcoming depression.
