January Depression, Winter Blues & SAD

January is the month when people are suffering from after effects of the holidays, winter blues and often, serious depression.

Here are some common reasons people seek therapy in January:
• The holidays are over and now the house feels empty. After loved ones leave the quiet may bring on feelings of despair and loneliness.
• If the family gatherings didn’t go as smoothly as you had hoped there may be residual feelings of anger and hurt that you have kept inside until now.
• Winter is here and you may be feeling cabin fever or Seasonal Depression.
• You may be grieving for the loss of a family member that wasn’t there for the festivities this year. More people die during the winter than any other season, which can cause the “happy” holiday season to feel lonely and sad.
• There are more suicides in January than any other month. Intense feelings of worthlessness, helplessness and depression are common this time of year.

Here are some things you can do to stave off the Winter Blues:

1. Get as much sunshine as possible. Bundle up and go sit out on your porch for 20 minutes a day, or go for a short walk and let the sun’s natural healing powers work its magic. Sit in front of a large window and read while the sun shines in.
2. Protect you and your family from Aunt Suzy’s alcoholic binges and Uncle Joe’s outspoken rudeness by making plans for the next holiday season. Perhaps rent a condo in the hills for just you and your kids to enjoy for the week. The rest of the family will get along fine without you and you will protect yourself and your kids from abuse and unpleasantness.
3. Grieve your lost loved ones in your own way. Go visit the burial site or listen to music that brings back happy memories – just let yourself release the grief.
4. Get out of the house as often as possible. If your health or the weather is so bad that you cannot drive off to the mall, then ask friends to have their get togethers with you at your house.
5. Be creative. Refuse to be the “poor little victim.” Instead, take charge of your life and live it the best you can every day. Smile; even when you don’t feel like it!
6. Seek help. Don’t keep feelings of despair to yourself. Remember, all feelings eventually change. The depression you feel today may be gone by tomorrow. Never make a permanent decision to solve a temporary problem.