Expert offers tips on how to beat the holiday blues

Seeing the festivals, the lights, and the shopping, the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season can spur feelings of joy. The reality, however, is that for many, the holidays can also trigger stress and overwhelm people going through a tough time mentally.

“We see it amongst our family and friends if people are struggling, the holidays can be an especially hard time,” said Dr. Allison Crawford, Chief Medical Officer of 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline, and a psychiatrist at CAMH.

“I think the first thing is just to recognize that that is a possibility.”

What exactly are the holiday blues? Experts say it’s typically when our feelings are out of keeping with what we or others expect of the season. In 2022, The Canadian Mental Health Association reported that 52 per cent of Canadians report feelings of anxiety, depression and isolation during this time of year.

“And I think that’s part of the pressure that we put on ourselves that that can actually make it worse if we think that we’re supposed to be feeling a certain way. So people who are feeling down, and of course, people who are already struggling with depression, or anxiety, all of those things can get worse,” said Dr. Crawford.

Dr. Crawford adds other factors can also get you down during the holidays.

“Feeling lonely, dealing with grief – grief can be especially difficult during the holidays or stress, including financial stress and those can affect people. Those things can affect people of all age.”

This time of year can also affect those who have Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is a clinical diagnosis when people experience symptoms of depression including low mood, disrupted sleep, low energy or concentration. Experts said it is associated with changing daylight hours as things get darker sooner.

“Seasonal Affective Disorder affects about 2 to 3 per cent of Canadians. But many more people get a milder form of it.”

Dr. Crawford said even if you don’t feel like it, being proactive in getting enough sleep, exercising and cutting down on alcohol are some of the best ways to bring back cheer into your life.

“And then finding ways to connect with other people, or even if you don’t want to connect with people, to connect to spaces that are important to you, to create connections out in public or in nature, those kinds of things can help buoy our spirits.”

Some shoppers and tourists visiting downtown Toronto offered their advice on how to perk up your spirits.

“Finding hobbies that you like to do especially during this time of year. There’s plenty of opportunities for things that you like to do,” said one holiday shopper.

“Focusing on gratitude” said one tourist.

Anyone who may be in crisis and in immediate need of help should call 911. Other mental health helplines available to all Canadians include:

Suicide Crisis Helpline 
9-8-8

Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868

MyGrief.ca

Hope for Wellness Help Line
Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free)