The holidays are considered to be a time of joy and cheer. Still, for many people suffering from anxiety or depression, Christmas can make it difficult to appreciate the festive spirit that surrounds us.
Sufferers often find themselves overwhelmed by sadness, stress, and isolation during what should be an exciting time in the year – so how can we tackle these big emotions and take some control back over our lives? In this blog post, we’ll look at managing anxious and depressive thoughts around Christmas to create a more meaningful holiday experience this season.
Why People Experience Anxiety and Depression Around Christmas
1. Darker Weather
As the days get shorter and the nights draw in, winter can bring feelings of depression and sadness. Those prone to anxiety or depression may be particularly affected by the change in season and lack of daylight. For example, during the winter, we’re exposed to less sunlight, affecting our moods and energy levels.
2. Financial Difficulties
Christmas can be expensive and buying presents or hosting celebrations can be overwhelming for those living on a tight budget. Even if you’re not struggling financially, the extra costs of Christmas can be enough to leave you feeling anxious and overwhelmed.
3. Family Tensions
For many of us, spending time with family over Christmas can be a source of stress and tension. Whether it’s arguments about who should host Christmas dinner, competition over who can buy the best presents, or unresolved issues that arise throughout the festive season – being around family during Christmas can be a stressful experience.
4. Missing Loved Ones
Missing a loved one who has passed away or is far away can be especially difficult during Christmas. Even if family and friends surround you, the absence of a person close to you can still be felt. The isolation and loneliness associated with missing someone special is often amplified during Christmas.
Tips for Managing Anxiety and Depression Over Christmas
1. Find the Root Cause
The first step to managing anxiety and depression over Christmas is to identify the root cause of your emotion. Once you’ve determined what’s making you feel anxious or depressed, you can start to develop strategies for tackling these feelings.
2. Get Involved in a new Activity
During Christmas, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by all the tasks that need to be done. Finding a hobby or activity you enjoy can distract you from these pressures and give you something to focus on. For example, surround yourself with positive people, participate in charity, etc.
3. Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a powerful tool that can be used to help manage anxiety and depression over Christmas. By relaxing your mind and body, hypnosis can help shift focus away from negative thoughts and feelings, making you feel calmer and more in control. It can also bring clarity to difficult situations and help you explore options and solutions.
At the Hypnosis and Therapy Centre, we specialise in using Hypnosis and a unique, multi-therapy approach to communicate with the subconscious mind, resolving underlying issues from the core. We work with clients every day who deal with anxiety and panic attacks in a variety of forms and severities, particularly around the Christmas period. Working at the unconscious level, we can bypass all of the baggage and get straight to the core issue.
Read our reviews to see how much of a positive impact we have had on their lives in just a few sessions.
4. Talk to Someone
If anxiety and depression are becoming too much to bear, it can be beneficial to talk to someone about your feelings. Whether it’s a trusted family member, friend, or professional, speaking to someone can help make sense of your emotions and provide comfort.
By enquiring about coming to our Hypnosis Clinic in Dublin, wecan help you to manage your anxiety and depression over Christmas. Our experienced hypnotherapists can help you to identify and address the root cause of your anxiety and depression, as well as provide you with strategies to cope. We are solution-focused and although Fiachra is a trained psychotherapist and counsellor, we use Hypnosis and our unique, multi-therapy approach to resolve issues quickly and permanently.
Read our reviews to see how people have used hypnotherapy for nail biting and confidence here at the Hypnosis and Therapy Centre, and changed their lives for the better. For a Free Phone Consultation please fill out your details below and Caitríona or Fiachra will be in contact with you!