Some Slack for the Tense on the Holidays

Last updated on: December 24, 2015 at 6:31 am by David Breeden

Some Slack for the Tense on the Holidays 2015-12-24T06:31:01-07:00 David Breeden

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I know, I know—some people just love the holiday season—“the hap-, hap-, happiest time of the year” and all that. Good for you.

Some of us don’t feel so well this time of year. Perhaps it is the prohibitive distance to visit loved ones; perhaps it is grief over lost loved ones; perhaps it’s that the giving season reveals our poverty; perhaps it’s Seasonal Affective Disorder. All these are so-called “situational” or “minor” depression.

And for some of us the depression has no discernible cause at all—that’s clinical depression or “major” depression. I’ve grown weary of explaining my depression over the years: No, I can’t put my finger on a reason. No, there’s nothing you can do to help. Thanks.

That said, from long experience I know that clinical depression and situational depression often coincide. The holiday season can be a double whammy.

Whether it’s situational, clinical, or all tangled up like a big ball of ribbon, here’s a survival list I keep that might help:

Cut yourself all the slack you need.
Find some alone time. Walk; nap; read—and try not to medicate, whether that be drugs, alcohol, or over-eating.
Say “no” when you need to say no.
Say your truth. Yes, I know: I always get the same response: “Why do you hate Christmas?” Same answer: I don’t hate Christmas. I hate being depressed.
Buy gifts ahead of time (OK, I know: too late; but next year—it helps with that overwhelmed feeling).

And just keep telling yourself, fellow sufferers—it will end. It will be over. Just keep saying it . . .

Previous Post

December 24, 2015

A Christmas Conversation

Next Post

December 29, 2015 Instructions for the New Year

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category #9/11 Abortion Class community conflict Digital Life Diversity Divorce Environmental issues Evangelism Faith Development Foregiveness Garden glbt Gratitude Grief Healing health care Holidays Hospitality Interfaith LGBT Issues Military Service Mortality Orlando Parenting Peace Politics Power Prayer Racism Relationships Religion Scripture Senior citizens Sermons simplicity Social Justice Spirituality Sports Sustainability Uncategorized Unitarian Universalist Values Women's Issues World Community Worship

Select a Month August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

John Peter Jesus Paul