How to Prevent Holiday Depression

Prevention of Holiday depression is something for which you need to work and plan ahead of time. It need foresight and seeing what can improve your thoughts of being depressed in holidays.

Tips on preventing holidays

Acknowledge your feelings. If a loved one has recently died or you aren't near your loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness or grief. It's OK now and then to take time just to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.
Seek support. If you feel isolated or down, seek out family members and friends, or community, religious or social services. They can offer support and companionship.
Stick to a budget. Before you go shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend on gifts and other items. Then be sure to stick to your budget. Donate to a charity in someone's name, give homemade gifts or start a family gift exchange.
Plan ahead - set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make one big food-shopping trip. Allow extra time for travel so that delays won't worsen your stress.
Limit your drinking - Do not feel obliged to feel festive. Accept your inner experience and do not force yourself to express specific feelings. If you have recently experienced a tragedy, death, or romantic break-up, tell people about your needs.
To relieve holiday stress, know your spending limit and stick to it. Enjoy holiday activities that are free, such as driving around to look at holiday decorations. Go window shopping without buying anything.

Holidays and depression together

Finances also play a role. Suggestions that one needs to buy a lot of gifts for Christmas put a financial strain on the buyer, who ends up with less money. Depression can set in if one cannot afford to buy gifts one would like.
Studies on the effects of the environment on people around the holiday season point to seasonal affective disorder, caused by the shorter days and fewer hours of daylight. There is a need for light stimulation to keep moods in balance.
Exercise. Get outdoors, get fresh air, and work out the built-up stress. Phototherapy, a treatment involving a few hours of exposure to intense light, is effective in relieving depressive symptoms.
Don't go overboard. Enjoy the special holiday foods that you only get at this time of year, but don't overdo it.
If you are lonely, try volunteering some time to help others.
Find holiday activities that are free, such as looking at holiday decorations; going window shopping without buying and watching thewinter weather whether it's a snowflake, or a raindrop.
Limit your drinking, since excessive drinking will only increase your feelings of depression.
Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way.
Spend time with supportive and caring people.
Reach out and make new friends.
Make time to contact a long lost friend or relative andspread some holiday cheer.
Make time for yourself and let others share the responsibilities of holiday tasks.

Last few tips to get the depression go off with Holidays

Prioritize what you need to do. This time of year tends to be hectic, with extra shopping, parties, and entertaining, there is always something that needs to be done. Decide what is important to you and make sure that gets completed first. Remember that it does not reflect on you as a person if you are not able to do everything. You are not a bad person if you didn’t get everything done. Take time for yourself. Find a few minutes each day to sit and relax or meditate. Spend a few nights just staying in and watching holiday films with your family. Take the time to slow down and enjoy the season, rather than rushing through it.

Excessive drinking increases feelings of depression. Stay away from parties that you feel you will drink too much or limit the amount of alcohol that you will drink. Volunteer to be the designated driver so that you stay away from alcohol altogether.