{"id":3231,"date":"2018-12-11T19:47:16","date_gmt":"2018-12-11T19:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/depressionhelp\/?p=3231"},"modified":"2018-12-11T21:02:13","modified_gmt":"2018-12-11T21:02:13","slug":"christmas-depression-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/depressionhelp\/2018\/12\/christmas-depression-2018.html","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Depression 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"christmas<\/a><\/p>\n

In 2017 I wrote an article, \u201cChristmas Depression<\/a>”\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span>I asked why Christmas was so depressing and what could be done to fight Christmas depression. I was surprised to find that during Christmas fewer people are actually admitted to hospital emergency rooms because of depression, anxiety, or suicide attempts. Maybe you\u2019re thinking, \u201cChristmas must somehow magically cure depression.\u201d NO! <\/span><\/p>\n

Immediately after Christmas, there\u2019s a spike in the number of suicides and hospital admissions for depression and anxiety. What I suspect happens during the few days of Christmas is that people are more aware of each other\u2019s situations. People visit those who are depressed. People are also more aware of self care techniques because of the enormous holiday stress. People try to be kinder, gentler with each other. But this can only work for a few days.<\/span><\/p>\n

To break the Christmas fantasy, we need to really connect with each other.<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Connecting with each other shouldn\u2019t just happen at Christmas. It\u2019s a talent that needs to be practiced year round. Watch for friends and family who feel left out, who stay away from get togethers, or who seem to be moody and sulking in the crowd. Make it a mission to converse with that person. <\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t just say, “Nice to meet you.” Involve the person in some real conversation. Be an active listener. Remember what is being said. Don\u2019t be fake. Make sure your conversation is real, and you’re expressing your real feelings and thoughts. If you feel like you really have nothing in common, don’t pretend you do.<\/span><\/p>\n

The idea is to connect with the person who seems lonely, depressed, or anxious. By acknowledging the person’s presence you’re saying, “I see you. You matter.”<\/span><\/p>\n

If you need help or know someone who is in emotional or mental distress, reach out for help. In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the\u00a0National Suicide Prevention Lifeline<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Visit me on Twitter\u00a0 @tereziafarkas<\/strong><\/p>\n

Visit my website\u00a0http:\/\/www.tereziafarkas.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Heart<\/a><\/p>\n

BUY NOW<\/a>\u00a0A great gift to help someone depressed.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In 2017 I wrote an article, \u201cChristmas Depression”\u00a0I asked why Christmas was so depressing and what could be done to fight Christmas depression. I was surprised to find that during Christmas fewer people are actually admitted to hospital emergency rooms because of depression, anxiety, or suicide attempts. Maybe you\u2019re thinking, \u201cChristmas must somehow magically cure…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":578,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[265,8,37,234],"tags":[5,180,249,4,12,227,6],"class_list":["post-3231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christmas","category-depression-help-2","category-seasonal-mood-issues","category-wellness-with-terezia-farkas","tag-beliefnet","tag-christmas","tag-christmas-depression","tag-depression-help","tag-emotional-health","tag-mental-health","tag-terezia-farkas"],"yoast_head":"\nChristmas Depression 2018 - Depression Help<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In 2017 I wrote an article, \u201cChristmas Depression" I asked why Christmas was so depressing and what could be done to fight Christmas depression.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Christmas Depression 2018 - Depression Help\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In 2017 I wrote an article, \u201cChristmas Depression" I asked why Christmas was so depressing and what could be done to fight Christmas depression.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/depressionhelp\/2018\/12\/christmas-depression-2018.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Depression Help\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"http:\/\/on.fb.me\/1zSE4WB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-12-11T19:47:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2018-12-11T21:02:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/depressionhelp\/files\/2018\/12\/christmasdepressioncat-300x200.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Terezia Farkas\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@tereziafarkas\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Christmas Depression 2018 - 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Terezia is a reiki master, psychic medium, and certified channeller. Visit Terezia Farkas on Twitter @tereziafarkas Website: http:\/\/www.tereziafarkas.com Honours: Alberta Lt. Governor Circle on Mental Health and Addictions award. Bell Let's Talk Social Media Ambassador 2017. 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