Why Do I Feel Loneliness During the Holidays?

It can be difficult to understand why we feel the way we do. However, once the root cause of negative emotions is identified, you can find ways to deal with feeling lonely during the holidays. There are many common reasons for this problem, but here are a few of the most common. 

Comparing Yourself to Others

Maybe your holiday decorations are lackluster. Perhaps your cooking doesn’t compete with someone else. Or, maybe you’re worried you can’t give as much as you’d like. It could also be that other families seem more organized, or happier, or you can’t help but swoon over those Hallmark holiday romance stories. The possibilities for comparison are everywhere—and this can leave many people feeling isolated. 

Missing Family or Loved Ones

The holidays are notoriously difficult for people separated from those they love. Sometimes, it’s a matter of physical distance and travel is impossible. Sometimes, it’s emotional distance following conflict. Other times, losing a loved one makes celebrating the holidays painfully lonely. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder 

Not all reasons for feeling lonely during the holidays, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), are easy to identify. This is a form of depression that occurs during certain seasons, with winter being the most frequently associated with SAD. Some symptoms include a persistent low mood, lack of motivation, changes in sleeping and eating habits, irritability, and headaches. When experiencing these symptoms, you might isolate yourself from others and avoid holiday activities. 

How to Cope with Loneliness During the Holidays

Feeling lonely during the holidays is difficult, no matter what the reason. Thankfully, some things can be done to help make this time of year a more pleasant and meaningful experience.

It’s Okay to Feel Loneliness

Some circumstances cannot be helped, and while there are things that you can do to lessen the intensity of your loneliness, it’s okay to let yourself experience your emotions. In fact, it’s healthy for you to do so. Sit alone and let yourself feel, write your thoughts and feelings in a journal, or talk to a trusted friend or family member. 

Ignore Holiday Stereotypes

Many people have a picture-perfect idea of the holidays, and it can be difficult to measure up. Instead of trying to fit a mold that’s impossible for you, ignore these stressful stereotypes and do things your own way. When you let loose from these constraints, you might be able to enjoy connecting with people during the holidays, rather than getting so bogged down by the details that you can’t make much time for anyone. 

Find Ways to Connect

If you are physically distanced from people you love during the holidays, try finding creative ways to connect. You can go the old-fashioned route and send holiday cards and letters, or take advantage of modern technology. Arrange a video chat, schedule an online game night, stream and watch a holiday movie together, and create a shareable digital photo album. 

Practice Cultivating Gratitude

The holidays provide an opportunity to tell the important people in your life how much they mean to you, which is a great way to connect with others and combat loneliness. You can also start a gratitude journal to help you focus on what matters most during an overwhelming season. 

Stay Busy By Helping Others

Many people find the holidays difficult, and lending a hand to those in need can help combat feelings of loneliness. Find ways to reach out that complement your strengths, like volunteering at a soup kitchen, donating clothing or toys, visiting the sick or elderly, and so on. This will help you connect with people while feeling good about making the holidays a little brighter for someone else. 

Talk to a Professional Counselor 

Sometimes, coping with holiday loneliness can be difficult to do alone. If you’re struggling, then professional counseling might be able to help. This can be particularly useful if the loneliness you feel stems from seasonal depression, grief, loss, or family conflict.

Find Out About Christian Counseling in Raleigh, NC for Holiday Depression, Anxiety, and Loneliness

Sometimes, the best way to navigate loneliness during the holidays is to try several of the above methods at once. If you want to learn more about including counseling in your battle against holiday blues, contact Sojourner Counseling. Our Christian therapists in Raleigh provide counseling for depression and anxiety, including counseling for loneliness during the holidays.

The post Understanding Holiday Loneliness & Strategies for Feeling Better first appeared on Sojourner Counseling.

The post Understanding Holiday Loneliness & Strategies for Feeling Better appeared first on Sojourner Counseling.

Sometimes, you manage to push through a few steps. Other times you stumble backward. Sometimes you can’t bear to move another inch. 

If this struggle resonates with you, then it’s important to understand that it’s not your fault. Most importantly, things might not be as bleak as they appear. You could be dealing with seasonal affective disorder. Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression that surfaces during certain seasons—with winter being the most common. 

In this article, you can discover more about the signs of seasonal affective disorder. You’ll explore ways to brighten your mood and improve your wellbeing. 

Common Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder

The symptoms of seasonal affective disorder can manifest differently for each person. If the scenario above doesn’t seem right, it doesn’t mean you don’t have seasonal affective disorder. Common signs and symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include:

• Persistent Sadness or Low Mood, Particularly During Certain Seasons
• Lack of Motivation to Complete Daily Tasks
• Unable to Enjoy Activities You Once Loved
• Changes in Sleep Patterns or Appetite
• More Irritable or Unexpected Angry Outbursts
• Frequent Headaches, Stomach Pains, and General Body Aches
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Thoughts and Feelings of Hopelessness

Remembering that these symptoms can vary in intensity is important. Some people might appear “high functioning,” managing to maintain a job and care for family while struggling internally. However, they may not be able to fully enjoy life as they would without SAD.

If your symptoms are overwhelming and make it hard to get through the day, you should seek help. Even if you manage to get by but don’t feel happy, it’s still important to address the problem. Doing so can help you find the relief you need.

What To Do If You Struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder

One of the harsh aspects of seasonal affective disorder is the feeling of hopelessness. This feeling can keep you stuck in a depressed state. However, sometimes taking a small step in the right direction can give you the momentum you need to fight back. Here are some things that you can try if you’re struggling with SAD:

Get Some Nourishment and Rest. 

Sometimes SAD is a symptom of malnutrition. If you could be deficient in vitamin D or other nutrients, then your troubles could be purely nutritional. Lack of sleep can also cause depression. 

Get up and get moving. 

The last thing you might feel like doing is exercise, but this is a great way to battle seasonal affective disorder. Begin with a short walk in the sun to get some vitamin D. Then, gradually move on to more intense activities. 

Talk to Someone About It. 

If you tend to bottle up your emotions, then this can lead to symptoms of depression. Connecting with others and sharing your frustrations can help you find the mental space you need. This can give you a new perspective and help you fight against depression.

Change Things Up. 

If you feel like a hamster on a wheel, then try doing something different. Go for a drive to some different place. Cook a new meal (that provides those depression-fighting nutrients) or redecorate a room in your house. 

Consider Christian Counseling in Raleigh. 

Time to do something arises if nothing seems to work or if the relief is always short-lived.  Consider getting help from a Christian therapist in Raleigh, NC. Mental health treatment options are available in North Carolina. Your options may include medication and a variety of counseling services. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with suicidal thoughts or behaviors, get help right away. Call 911 or reach out to a suicide hotline (call 988). People out there understand how you feel and will help you get through this. 

Fighting Seasonal Depression Through Faith

Your faith can help you battle seasonal affective disorder.  God does not intend for you to feel hopeless, lost, or defeated. He has a purpose for you, He loves you, and He will not leave you stuck in a rut of sadness.

With the power of Jesus Christ, you can defeat the dark spirits that hold you back. You can live the free life He wants for you.

Scriptures for Seasonal Affective Disorder

• Philippians 4:8 — “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
• Psalm 42:11 — “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!”
• 1 Peter 4: 12-13 —  “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”
• Isaiah 61: 3 — “To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”

Seasonal Affective Disorder Christian Counseling in Raleigh, NC

If you or someone you love is struggling with seasonal affective disorder, then now is the time to get help. Sojourner Counseling offers Christian therapy in Raleigh. Christian beliefs and scientific therapies are used in our approach. If you’d like to connect with licensed Christian counselors in Raleigh, NC, then reach out to us today.

The post How to Overcome Seasonal Depression with Faith-Based Therapy in Raleigh first appeared on Sojourner Counseling.

The post How to Overcome Seasonal Depression with Faith-Based Therapy in Raleigh appeared first on Sojourner Counseling.

However, if these low moods are consistent and impact the teen socially, academically, or in other areas of their life, then they might be experiencing depression—a serious yet treatable mental health problem. 

Find out more about the signs of depression in teenagers, when it’s time to get professional help, and steps you can take as a parent if help is needed. 

Signs & Symptoms of Depression in Teens

What are the signs of teen depression? While the symptoms of teen depression can vary depending on the individual, there are some common signs to watch out for. If you’re a parent, then it might seem like your teen is simply “acting out,” but it could be that they are struggling to cope with severe pain. If any of the following occur frequently, then your teen could be dealing with adolescent depression.

Persistent Negative Mood

Everyone feels down or discouraged from time to time, and sometimes longer periods of sadness can be normal—especially after going through a difficult event. With depression, these negative emotions can seem to come from nowhere. They might include frequent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a negative outlook on life in general. 

Low Self-Esteem

While it’s common for teens to struggle with body image, depression can make these emotions stronger and more consuming. Depression can create other self-image problems, including feelings of shame, failure, and unworthiness. 

Outbursts of Anger

Depressed teens don’t always appear to be sad or to struggle with a low self-esteem. Instead, some teens deal with their negative emotions through aggression. This can include frequent yelling, or they might become violent or get in trouble at school for bullying their peers. 

Academic Decline

Is your teen having problems at school? Depression can make your teen feel tired and cause difficulty concentrating. If your teen has a sudden drop in grades, or they’ve missed a lot of classes, this could be a sign of depression. 

Isolation or Withdrawal

It can be normal for teens to want a little more space than they did when they were younger. However, if your teen is spending more time alone in his or her room, or if they are withdrawing from their friends, then this could be a cause for concern. 

Lack of Interest or Motivation

Lack of motivation does not necessarily mean that your teen is lazy. If your teen doesn’t complete their chores or schoolwork like they used to, or if they no longer have an interest in hobbies or sports that they once loved, then depression could be to blame.

Changes in Sleep or Eating

Depressed teens often have sleep difficulties. This might mean sleeping too much or sleeping too little. The same is true for eating habits. Depression can cause teens to eat more or less than normal, which can sometimes develop into an eating disorder. 

Drug or Alcohol Use

Teens sometimes use drugs and/or alcohol in attempts to dull their negative emotions. However, this typically backfires, leading to worsening symptoms. They could also develop substance abuse issues, which sets the stage for a range of mental health problems now and in the future. 

Smartphone/Screen Addiction

Addictions develop when teens try to distract themselves from what’s going on inside of them. Today, drugs and alcohol aren’t the only forms of self-medication. Teens can become addicted to their smartphones, tablets, or video games as well. 

Reckless Behavior

Risk taking can be normal for teenagers, especially for boys. However, some depressed teens will go to great, even risky, lengths to mask their pain. This can include engaging in dangerous behaviors, like driving too fast, promiscuity, or acts of self-harm. 

When It’s Time to Get Help for Teen Depression

How do you know when to seek out help for teen depression? If any of the less risky signs or symptoms listed above persist for more than a few weeks, then it’s time to talk to a doctor or mental health professional. If your teen could be a danger to themselves or others, then get help right away. 

Depression and Suicide

Depression can be serious, even leading to suicidal thoughts and actions. If your teen has said things like, “I wish I were dead,” talked about people being better off without them, or if you have any reason to think that your teen might do themselves harm, then get help immediately. Call 911 or contact a local Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 

Christian Counseling in Raleigh, NC Can Help with Teenage Depression

Depression affects one in five teens in the United States, but not all of them get the help that they need. Don’t watch your teen wilt away. Help him or her regain a healthy sense of self and a positive outlook on life with counseling for teenage depression.

If you’re looking for teen depression counseling from a Christian perspective, then contact Sojourner Counseling. We provide teen depression Christian counseling in Raleigh, NC. Our licensed Christian therapists provide proven methods for depression treatment along with faith-based support in a safe, compassionate environment. Contact us anytime to learn more about Christian counseling for depressed teens. 

The post How to Notice Signs of Depression in Teens & What Parents Can Do to Help Them first appeared on Sojourner Counseling.

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