How Do You Get Through December Holidays When Depressed?
The December holidays — Hannukah, Christmas and New Year’s — can be brutal for people in depression. Here are some tips to help you cope with family, gifts, parties and yourself.Difficulty: HardTime Required: As NeededHere’s How: • Keep a separate “December” journal, divided in half. Use front for notes of what works well and what problems you encounter. In back, keep track of gift purchases and where you stored them. • Gifts: Buy on the Internet from reputable online stores. Shopping in person is tiring and can be overwhelming. Buy EARLY, and use your journal to remember what you bought and where you hid the gifts. • Wrap early or pay for gift wrap. It’s generally not too expensive and can save you from the hideous “it’s Christmas Eve and nothing’s wrapped yet” situation. • When gifts are exchanged, note what you received and from whom it was given in your journal to help with thank-you messages. You may also note which of the gifts you gave that were well-received and if any fell fla
