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How to Deal with Depression During the Festive Season #EveryConversationMatters
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The festive season is often portrayed as a time filled with joy, togetherness, and celebration but it may not be so for everyone. Having lost my Father a few years back, I am acutely aware that, for many people, this time of year can also be one of the most challenging, especially for those struggling with depression. While the world around you may be decked out in lights and holiday cheer, the pressure to feel happy when you’re battling emotional struggles can be overwhelming. The good news is that you’re not alone, and there are ways to manage depression during the festive season. Here’s how:
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
It’s okay not to feel joyful during the holidays. Give yourself permission to experience your emotions without judgment. Suppressing feelings of sadness, loneliness, or anxiety often makes them worse. Instead, try to acknowledge them and understand that it’s normal to feel this way, especially if the holidays trigger painful memories or intensify feelings of isolation.Staying connected with your feelings is better than suppressing them.
 2. Set Realistic Expectations
The pressure to meet expectations, whether from yourself or others, can contribute to feelings of stress and sadness. Instead of striving for the “perfect” holiday, try to embrace imperfections. Set realistic goals for what you can and cannot do, whether it’s hosting a gathering, shopping for gifts, or participating in social events. Sometimes, saying “no” or scaling down your activities can bring peace and reduce overwhelming feelings.
 3. Practice Self-Care
During the festive season, it’s easy to get caught up in obligations and forget to take care of yourself. Make time for self-care activities that bring you comfort, whether that’s reading, meditating, exercising, or simply taking a walk in nature. Prioritize sleep, healthy eating, and activities that nurture your mental and physical well-being. Even a few minutes of mindfulness or deep breathing can help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms.
4. Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others
Social media can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy during the holidays, with constant images of seemingly happy families and perfect celebrations. Remember that what you see online is often a highlight reel, not reality. Avoid comparing your situation to others, as everyone experiences the festive season differently. Focus on what you can control in your own life, rather than what others are doing.
 5. Stay Connected with Support Systems
Isolation can worsen depression, so it’s essential to stay connected with friends, family, or support groups. If being physically present with loved ones isn’t possible, reach out through phone calls, video chats, or even text messages. Sometimes, simply talking to someone who understands can ease feelings of loneliness. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your struggles with friends or family, consider seeking out a mental health professional or joining an online support community.
 6. Create New Traditions
For many, the festive season can bring up memories of loss, grief, or changes in family dynamics. Instead of dwelling on traditions that may no longer be possible, consider creating new ones that better suit your current emotional state.
Traditionally in our home , the married girl’s parents bring gifts etc. for Diwali.After my Father passed away we reversed the tradition and it was us bringing gifts and sweets to our Mother and rest of the family.You could try something as simple as starting a new holiday routine, volunteering, or dedicating time to a meaningful cause. Creating new, positive associations with the holidays can help shift your focus away from past pain.
7. Limit Alcohol and Stimulants
While it can be tempting to drown your sorrows and indulge in festive cocktails or excessive caffeine, these substances can intensify feelings of depression and anxiety. Alcohol is a depressant that can worsen your mood, while stimulants like caffeine can increase feelings of restlessness and irritability. Try to limit your intake of these substances and instead opt for healthier ways to cope with stress, such as drinking herbal teas, exercising, or practicing relaxation techniques.
 8. Reach Out for Help
If your feelings of depression are becoming overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help. Many therapists and counselors offer support through the holidays, either in person or online. If you’re feeling particularly low or experiencing thoughts of self-harm, contacting a mental health crisis line can provide immediate assistance. Remember, there is no shame in asking for help, and you deserve support.
 9. Practice Gratitude, but Don’t Force It
Practicing gratitude can help shift your mindset and bring some positive perspective, but it’s important not to force this practice if you’re not feeling it. Instead, try to identify small things you are thankful for, whether it’s a warm bed, a loyal pet, or a quiet moment. Focus on the present, and take it one day at a time. Gratitude, when practiced gently and sincerely, can help ease the intensity of depressive thoughts.
 10. Give Yourself Grace
Lastly, be gentle with yourself. The festive season can be emotionally taxing, especially when you’re dealing with depression. Don’t feel guilty for how you feel or pressure yourself to keep up with others’ expectations. It is OK to say ‘NO’ if you are not feeling upto it to join a party or a celebration.Understand that it’s okay to take things slow and care for yourself in the way you need.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with depression during the festive season can be challenging, but with self-compassion, realistic expectations, and support from loved ones, it’s possible to navigate through it. Remember, you don’t have to face it alone. Whether through friends, family, or professional help, reaching out can make all the difference.
This post offers practical advice to help people manage their mental health during the festive time which can be emotionally demanding.
Have you ever felt low during the festive season? Would you like to share some tips that help navigate this time?
“This post is a part of #FeelingFestiveBlogHop hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters”
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
Bloghop, Depression, emotional balance, Emotional Journey, Feeling Blue, Feelings, Festivals, Festive Season, Loneliness, Loss, Pain, Sadness, Single life
45 responses
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A must read for all. Thanks for writing about depression that sinks when others enjoy and we aren’t able to. Highly recommended read.
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This is a unique perspective that you have shared here Dr. Preeti. Appreciate it. Yesterday only I was thinking festivals are about to come and we as women, whose responsibilities multiply during festivals, fail to celebrate them properly like other members do. These tips have come handy to overcome that thought.
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A few years back, one of my acquantaince’s mother passed away just a day before Diwali. He didn’t even inform and I was busy sending Diwali greetings. I came to know after 10 days and went to meet him. He was sad and I suggested that he should step out for walks and not sit at home, as he lives alone. Am glad, he is constantly travelling now. Festivals can be a lonely affair without loved ones.
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Yes,festive times can be very lonely when you lose a loved one. I am glad you went to meet him and helped him when he was still grappling with the loss.
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I think we should feel what we feel. At least for some time before getting into the rigmarole of festivities and entertaining everyone. These are really good pointers that many people can benefit from even outside the festival celebrations.
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Exactly Cindy, if one is in touch and accepts one’s feeling , it is more helpful than suppressing them further below the surface.
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This blog post is a reminder to be empathetic to each other. True, festivals can turn sour for a family that has lost a loved one. These are very useful points to embrace.
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Thank you Chinmayee.
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I lost my father a month before this Durga Puja… I was sad and in Pain but I embraced practicality because I accepted the fact that what happened , happened may not make me feel good but it was good for my father as he was living a life in pain for last couple of days which was more painful than my pain of loss. Yes , tears were there in my eyes doing the last rites for me but I can feel the relief papa good transiting to the other world. The points you mentioned are absolutely 💯 percent correct and would like to add one more …. develop the skill of acceptance… depression will never 💔 ever can take charge of your mind.
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True, acceptance is a stepping stone to find peace but I am also talking about depression in the bigger picture where sometimes there is no clear and immediate reason for feeling blue.
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I lost my father a month before this Durga Puja… I was sad and in Pain but I embraced practicality because I accepted the fact that what happened , happened may not make me feel good but it was good for my father as he was living a life in pain for last couple of days which was more painful than my pain of loss. Yes , tears were there in my eyes doing the last rites for me but I can feel the relief papa good transiting to the other world. The points you mentioned are absolutely 💯 percent correct and would like to add one more …. develop the skill of acceptance… depression will never 💔 ever can take charge of your mind. A powerful post
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Thank you and I feel you Samata.You might be aware that I lost my Father amidst similar conditions when his living wa sgiving all of us mor epain and death actually gave peace and relief, but the loss was deep.This post is y attempt to commiserate , empathise and help those who are still grappling with feelings of sadness and loss which is compounded when the world outside is celebrating with their loved ones.
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I’m sorry for your loss.
How kind of you to bring this up, one can feel loss more during the festival times and people often forget to be kind…so it’s important for us to be kind to ourselves.
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Depression is a unseen enemy. Most of the time we don’t even understand we are suffering from depression. Because we see ourselves through our mind only. During festive season I feel anxiety of going to Puja sandals. May be because I have become a recluse. I hate finding a parking spot. Then worry about taking in car out of parking slot, assuming someone smarter must have blocked my way out. Meeting people is also a source of anxiety. In medical terms anxiety and depression are often grouped together.
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This is totally relatable Abhijit.Fetsivals are becoming loud and cacophonic. I miss the old days when they were simpler and only about connecting with family and community.
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Thank you for sharing this important post about dealing with depression during the festive season. I can relate—I got sick two years ago and couldn’t celebrate Diwali, which showed me how hard the holidays can be. Your tips on acknowledging feelings and setting realistic expectations is what I too believes. Now, I focus on preparing for the celebrations in a way that works for my health. I appreciate your insights and the reminder that it’s okay to take care of ourselves during this time.
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I just loved this blog the empathetic reminder you shared. Festive season is indeed come with mix feelings.
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acknowledging your feeling is indeed the first and most important step without which, one can’t go on the journey ahead. This is indeed a really helpful article to keep your mental health in a good condition!
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It’s so sad that depression keeps humanity in its bind despite the world becoming a “global village” and all. Pertinent points, you make, and I didn’t realise that depression hits the most during festivals coz for me, festivals is when I’m happiest! I think I belong to a different generation! Thanks for lifting the veil.
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OMG! I am dreading Diwali this week. As it is I am grappling with my health and my daughter is travelling. I am trying to cope with the thought that I would be alone and want to do all the rituals that we normally do. Your post hit home really hard. I am unable to cope since 4 months now and just having a couple of good days in a week. I need to religiously follow all your pointers . I am taking professional help but I wish I could process what I am going through. Struggling to understand the physical and mental fatigue
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This is something not many people realize. Festivals can be a very difficult time when we have lost someone very close. Accepting the feeling is an extremely important first step.
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This blog beautifully captures the often overlooked emotional struggles that many face during the festive season.
Your insights on acknowledging feelings and setting realistic expectations are particularly valuable, especially for those who may feel pressured to “put on a happy face.” I appreciate how you emphasize the importance of self-care and staying connected with support systems, reminding us that it’s okay to seek help when needed. Creating new traditions is a wonderful suggestion, allowing us to honor our loved ones while also forging our own paths through grief.
Thank you for sharing such a compassionate and insightful perspective—this is sure to resonate with many!
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When festivals are round the corner we forget that there are many fighting their battles. Your post was an eye-opener for me. Very valid points to fight those feelings of depression if followed.
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Setting realistic expectations and creating new traditions are two things that have helped me cope as an expat and as somebody who moved out of their parents’ home at a young age. These are very practical and much-needed suggestions for those away from family, friends and loved one during any festival
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Thank you for sharing this insightful and compassionate post! Your practical advice is so important, especially during a time that can feel overwhelmingly joyful for some but isolating for others. It’s a powerful reminder that we’re not alone in our struggles, and reaching out for support is always a brave step. Thank you for shedding light on this crucial topic!
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This was a timely post. Having lost of mom a couple of years back and losing dad this year, the festival times are the lowest I can go myself. No matter how I try I still hold on to memories that we created years back
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This is such an important post. We still cannot bring ourselves to celebrate Lohri and it is disappointing that people fail to understand that. Festivals can be a difficult time for a lot of us.
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You have written so well Preeti. Festivals can be dark for some people and that is ok too. One needs to find acceptance. I liked your point about social media adding to the pain. What social media shows is never the whole truth, but it causes us to be more unhappy and jealous of the other’s blessings. We need to be more empathetic and, most importantly, kind to ourselves.
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This is such an illuminating post, Preeti. The points you have listed out are all doable, and the main thing is to accept that festivals can also be occasions of trauma and loneliness. Thank you for sharing your valuable insights with us.
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Festivals are never the same without our loved ones. We therefore need to empathise with those that are putting a brave front and moving ahead. Reaching out for help from trusted sources is perhaps the best way to navigate the festival season.
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Definitely a tough period to navigate for grieving people. Your tips are extremely helpful. And you wrote “seemingly” happy families. Yes, we don’t know what goes on behind the scenes.
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Festivals for women are full of work and responsibilities but this post comes as a reminder to pause, relax and give some time for self-care.
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There you are! Finally I came to a post that’s relevant to me vis-Ã -vis festivals. I hate the noise and perversions of festivals. They do drive me to depression. It’s high time we civilised our festivals.
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I relate completely.
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Depression is something I’m not too sure to support or not. I was just talking with my sister the other day about how children nowadays seemed too weak emotionally, feel defeated/sad/hopeless for simple stuff. I guess there should be a line between understanding when you should learn to endure things (and not let others take advantage of you and your happiness) but at the same time be tough enough to ride the waves of whatever life throws on you. While there’s no harm asking for help, finding ways to solve the problem yourself is something you’ll be proud of one day in the future!
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Actually depression can be multifaceted and can be without any trigger or as a result of a deep shock or loss.REgardless, everyone deserves empathy. I agree that our changing family make up and social media , rearing practices all might have contributed to its prevalence in society. Children no more have large families and cousins grandparents to buffer them or provide a healthy way of sharing their feelings.
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We always associate festivals with joy and happiness, that we often forget to acknowledge about other emotions that may be around us. This post is a must read to understand that festivities can also be a time of depression for many who do not understand how to manage that
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Festivals are difficult times especially to people who’ve lost their loved ones. No matter the period, the looking back of memories created years ago still lingers. Lovely post
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Thank you for writing this. My heart goes out to you. These were all very real and practical tips. I especially love the social media one. Forget going through grief, even a normal mood turns weird looking at cerain fakeness potrayed in it.
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You have touched upon an important aspect of festivities that is generally not discussed. Thanks for sharing advices which will be helpful for those dealing with difficult time during festivals.
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you know preeti, since 2020 I have observed that social media is more or less just smokes and I am so thankful to this self-awareness I have gained from life experiences or from talking virtually to people that my festival nights will never be what they show on reels(including eid) my festivals are actually when I go to my home. So yeah, posts like these remind me time and again how festivals of ANYKIND are not the same in every house. This was an important post. 🙂
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I agree with you Sukaina. Home is where the hearth is and where you find love and acceptance. Festivals spent with people you love make them extra special and it is tough when you are alone and unhappy.
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These days the conversations around this topic have increased considerably.
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I loneliness is increasing day by day.We have a hundred facebook friends but how many can we count on in times of need?Life is fast paced now more so in metros.It is important to keep sensitising ourselves to others’ difficulties.
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A very important post that many will find useful.
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