Holidays can be a time of stress, exhaustion, and spending a lot of money. Lower light exposure doesn’t help either. Here is what science says about helping yourself during this tough time.

Few Factors You Can Control

• Social support 

Avoid isolation. Meet with people who bring comfort and joy to your life. See if there are any social events going on in your area or join an online support or hobby group.

• Physical activity

Don’t strain yourself! Even completing a few exercises or taking a walk every day counts as physical activity.

• Nutrition

Fuel your body with veggies and fruits, and try to cut down on junk food a bit. Consider taking supplements to get an additional boost.

• Sleep

Stick to sleeping hygiene to properly restore your energy.

• Learn coping strategies

See what cognitive-behavioral techniques might be of help. For example, try challenging your negative thoughts using this worksheet. 

• Light exposure

If what you experience is not just temporary sadness, but seasonal affective disorder (SAD), consider talking to your healthcare provider and getting a special lamp to feel better.

Do You Want To Learn More? Check Out These Articles:

• It’s Cold, Dark, And SAD: You Might Have Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Too Tired to Do the Dishes? It Might Be Depression
• Lithium as a Life-Saving Treatment for Bipolar Disorder