Depression and the Holidays

Alone and Depressed During the Holidays

Image: Winter by Alphonse Mucha
Winter by Alphonse Mucha

Dealing with clinical depression during the holidays can be difficult, to put it mildly. If you’re going to be facing the holidays alone and you have depression, the situation may seem like more than you can bear. By Christmas Eve, your depression voice might be telling you that you’re a sad loser – unless you come up with some countermeasures. Keep these thoughts and suggestions in mind:

  • If you’re alone because someone close to you has died, or because your marriage or relationship has ended, realize that it’s normal to feel sadness and grief. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season.
  • Ask yourself – are you actually okay with being alone during the holidays, but feel that you should be spending it with other people? We’re all bombarded with images of happy families spending time together during the holidays. Remember that as wonderful as it can be to be with family, it’s also very stressful.
  • Don’t tell yourself that it’s not worth decorating or cooking when it’s just you. What’s wrong with decorating your place or cooking a special meal just for yourself? Chances are that doing the holiday activities that you’re used to doing with family or friends will give you a lift.
  • Don’t hide the fact that you’re spending the holidays alone from acquaintances or colleagues. If you’re frank about it, there’s a good chance that someone will invite you over for Christmas dinner.
  • Don’t drink. Alone and drunk is not a good combination. Chances are that you’ll become sadder and more depressed.
  • Line up a special treat for yourself, like a museum visit, a concert or something else that will get you out of the house and make the holidays memorable.
  • Do some of the things that you did as a child, like watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, or driving around looking at holiday decorations or making Christmas cookies.
  • Remember, you don’t have to be alone at the holidays. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship.
  • Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships. Volunteer your time to serve or deliver holidays meals for people in need. Ask your local hospital if the children’s ward needs volunteers to read to the children who can’t go home for the holidays.

15 Comments

  • Anonymous

    I am very sad and i have always been alone. I dont have a good family especially when my life crashed down and i have nothing. I didnt even do anything wrong to them but my siblings really are so bad when you know your down and have nothing. I cannot handle my life anymore as i lost my job too coz of pandemic, i have tried to apply for a new job but nothing at all. I hope i will just die, and before that i want to say sorry to my mom for not being a good child and say my goodbye.

  • TMG

    this year has been so hard for me, broke up with the father of my kids and we had to move cities to stay with my sister. now i am back in my own place, i feel like taking the kids t their father and just go and sleep in my own space. Its a bit unfair for the kids but i feel like its the only way that i will be able to cope

    • Sam

      Hello TMG,

      I know your comment was posted awhile ago but reading it broke my heart a little. I do hope things went better than expected for you that year and that things are much better for you now. Cheers 🙂

  • Susan Green

    I’ve been on my own for the past 3-4 years on Christmas day. I’m single and not married and without work. It’s been like that for some time and now and feel past the point of no return.Theres no point making a Christmas dinner for just myself , so I just have a snack or something.I try not to look at the happy family scenario of everybody together round a table or sitting in the lounge with adverts. But leading up to Christmas, I have started to feel down unlike previous years.Maybe I have just had enough of the pressure of being on my own inspite of being able to please myself with what I do!

  • Mich

    My Danish boyfriend has thrown me and my daughter out to move on with his ex wife . We are now homeless after giving up everything to be with him . Back in the U.K. Now at the mercy of family who don’t really want us . I just cannot bear the pain .

    • Beth Anne

      I’m so sorry for both of you. I’m thankful you and your daughter are out of a situation where you must’ve felt bad there too. Your family may not be super jazzed to have you two, but ya know what…that’s what family is for. Before you know it, you and your daughter will figure out what you’re going to do, and this bad time will be a distant memory and things will get better. Hold your head up high and be strong for your daughter. Think positive cuz there are a lot of good people and you just gotta find them, but you’re lucky to be blessed with a daughter. I don’t know what I’d do without mine. 🙂 Best wishes, and God bless you two.

    • Jan Lemon

      Don’t give up hope. I have been where you are now. I thought it would never get better but it did. My family made it clear we were a burden and they begrudged helping us. Just grit your teeth and tell yourself things are crap at the moment but it will get better. You will get past this. Thinking of you both x jan

    • Pauline

      I want to be in a relationship especially at xmas, but im not. |||And my grown sons are barely in touch with me. I keep telling myself its OK but Im feeling so sad and unloved. I think the church thing is a good idea. Its just getting there,,and fear of a disappointment there too..
      Nice to know im not alone in these feelings tho

      • Liz

        I used to go to church but that makes me really depressed to see happy families, spouses I never had, children I never had. It’s worse when sitting there alone.

  • marie

    I remember spending some holiday’s just sleeping…had no where to go that is the worst feeling. Now that I have my 7 yr. Old I see things different. It might only be us two but thank god I’m not alone anymore.

  • EN39594

    I agree with all the suggestions but one. Don’t hint for an invitation. I tell you this from personal experience. There’s nothing worse than spending Thanksgiving and/or Christmas Day with people who don’t really want you but invite you out of pity. Far better to be alone and keep your self-respect.

    • Pat Ellis

      I agree with you on this 100%. I used to invite myself to spend the holidays with people, but it seemed so forced.
      If I do get an invite anywhere it’s a last minute invite, glad to get an invite but it feels like an afterthought.

    • Allan Pape

      I also agree regarding self invitations,
      you never feel comfortable, and other people
      soon find out that you are not happy.
      Far better to try and enjoy some time away
      from work, and do something that will take
      your mind off the misery of feeling alone
      at Christmas.

  • L. Smith

    I pretend I was an only child that I NEVER had a brother OR sister. And especially no obnoxious ADULT nephews or nieces !Which I wouldn’t have missed not having in the first place.They ALL stink with a capital “S” I NEVER get to see those little bastard children of my nephews and niece.Of course there is truth to one nephew’s children. He has three children ALL OUT OF WEDLOCK. He lives with his rich girlfriend who supports him.He’s 40 years old !

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