It's the most wonderful time of the year...
Contrary to popular belief, suicide rates are most popular during the spring and summer instead of during the winter. However, there is something else that is a problem to many people all across the U.S.: Seasonal Affective Disorder, a disorder in which a person is depressed only during the winter.
With the main source of light being reduced to practically nothing, it's easy for many people to feel the winter blues. Then, with the holiday season, many people tend to think about their loved ones and could easily grow depressed by the very sound of jingle bells. With everything stacked against a human being during the holidays, it's actually impressive that it's not the peak of suicide.
However, that doesn't make it any less prominent.
It's easy to slip into a spiral where it feels like it's the most miserable time of the year, but it's important to remember there is always other options. There is always a solution, and it doesn't involve taking your own life.
Before I get started on ways to help prevent suicide for this holiday season, I am going to mention just this once that if you or someone you know is experiencing depression, please seek help. I know very well the idea of being medicated or going to see a shrink is very unappealing, but it's helped a lot of people, so it can just as easily help you.
If you are someone like my mother and you have Seasonal Affective Disorder, there are ways of treatment that make surviving the winter months much easier. One reason people may be depressed is because of the lack of sunlight, and a suggestion to help with that is literally sitting in front of a light therapy box. It's imitation to sunlight is close enough to help ease the effects of S.A.D. and help support your body's natural release of melatonin. Considering the sun is also a huge source of Vitamin D, a lack of it could cause problems, so taking Vitamin D is another way to help fill in the blank that the sunshine left behind.
Since S.A.D. is a form of depression, a lot of the treatments for it is the same as that of someone with major depression disorder. Aromatherapy, meditation and exercise are other ways to help stimulate serotonin, which helps makes someone happier even during difficult times.
Surround yourself with people that make you happy. If you feel that you have nobody in your life to do so, you're lucky. You now have a whole world at your fingertips. We live in a world where anybody can be friends with anybody, and it doesn't matter who lives where or who does what. Everybody is loved on the internet.
Never skip a meal, especially during periods which there is significantly less sun, and in turn there are fewer chemicals in your body that produce happiness. Comfort food can help with coping with depression, but it's also important to not overeat and exercise. Reducing your caffeine intake will boost your serotonin, and foods high in protein like fish and meats will help increase your body's creation of serotonin. Fish, dairy, eggs and mushrooms are foods that have a high source of Vitamin D, so eating more of those during the winter will help significantly with how someone can cope with seasonal depression.
If you're someone that doesn't feel Seasonal Affective Disorder but is instead cursed with the Holiday Blues, it can be for a number of different reasons. However, it is important to emphasize that it is actually very common and normal to be feeling sad during the holidays, so don't be embarrassed about it.
The most important thing to do in order to tackle the Holiday Blues is trying to figure out what makes you upset. Is it family? Is it financial obligations? Is it social pressure? The most important thing to do is to isolate the source of the problem, and then whatever you have to do to fix it.
Family? If they're too much for you, you can just avoid them. Yes, it seems like a bad move to ditch your family for Christmas for yourself, but if a family makes you feel uncomfortable to the point to where you're dreading stepping into your own home, then they're not a family that should be celebrated. Remember a family is supposed to be welcoming, loving and cherishing. People should look forward going to families, but if you're dreading it, then that fault is on their ends, not yours. Your mental health comes first.
If it is financial obligations, it's always a reasonable source of stress. However, this would be a good time to determine who deserves something. Not giving somebody you know a present as just as fine as giving a present. If anything, people tend to feel guilty when someone is struggling with money but they go out of their way to buy something. Some people don't even like receiving presents, so it's important to prioritize who should get what. Even if you are still struggling, check out places that offer help during the holidays. My mother has had to use it for this Christmas so my siblings can get things they want, and it's a beautiful program to help those in need but feel obligated to get gifts. Your mental health comes first.
And finally, remember Christmas parties are optional. Social pressure is just pressure, and you don't have to give into it. If you tell them you can't go, or no you don't want to go, they shouldn't have to ask twice. Remember that you are the one in charge of your life, and you decide where you go. If you want to go somewhere, go for it. If you're uncomfortable in social situations, you don't have to go. Your mental health comes first.
It's important to stress that there is always someone out there that can help you and you can push through this. It always gets better, and your mental health comes first.
It should always come first.
