When fairy lights are strewn in every street and Christmas songs convey messages of joy and peace, the pressure is inevitably on for us to feel happy during this season.
Yet the truth is, holiday depression syndrome is a common phenomenon, even lying behind the perfect smiles plastered on those social media images.
There is nothing to be ashamed of if you are feeling sad during this time of the year, and there are ways you can fight these feelings.
The following are causes of Holiday Depression Syndrome and some tips on how you can overcome the bad feelings.
Feeling Isolated
This season can heighten feelings of loneliness, especially if you are going through heartbreak, you are grieving, or you have a small social circle. It can be hard to put yourself out there, but opening up to just one person who will listen is a powerful way of easing your fears of isolation, and proving to yourself that you have someone who is willing to listen.
How to Beat It: Get in touch with a person you trust or find a supportive online community and don’t be afraid to open up. You can also turn your situation into a positive one by finding others who are feeling isolated and keeping them company.