How do you keep from getting depressed during the holidays?
823396
Holidays are always hard for me, too. My parents both died when I was young, and everyone's family times always remind me of what I miss. Rather than allowing myself to be jealous, I try to focus on being grateful for the blessings I do have and the great friends I am lucky enough to have made. \nIf you start feeling sorry for your self, make yourself count your blessings; think about how much worse some other people have it what what you do. \n\nWhat I also do that makes me feel better is try to do as much for others as I can, both in big and small ways. \nFor example, I am involved in a project making crocheted baby blankets for a pregnancy center. I also gather up and donate books for our local library to sell to fund their projects. I donate money to other chairities that I also believe in. I also spoil my loved ones, friends, co-workers and neighbors rotten!\n\nFor me, the more I do for other people, the better I feel and in some way I think it honors the memory of those I love(d) too. \n\nAbout a years worth of therapy and Zoloft have helped me work through a lot of my feelings and deal with things in a healthier way.  Deciding that you want to feel better and looking for ways to improve things; I know you will find ways to do it. Just make it your goal and you'll get there :-)\n\nHave a good holiday, stay busy, and do more for others. You'll feel better, and if I was there I would give you a smile and a hug right now :-)
236883
Just keep yourself busy! Stay around lots of friends and family.
851599
Go get a lot of fresh air, walk or jog. The depression will lift and you'll find something else you'd rather be doing than on the net all the time.
128421
Exercise. Get plenty of fresh air and find someone or something that needs your help. I found wild orphaned animals and bike riding. Both are so important to my mental well being as I am very sick and my illnesses depress me. Once I started to focus on other things, like the animals or my exercise, I started to feel much better. I still get sad and even depressed but my friends and family know the signs now and they always find a way to get me through the bad spots. \n\nSometimes though, you just have to feel what you are feeling, then and only then can you move onward and upward!\n\nGoddess bless and good luck.
26516
Get moderate exercise and plenty of sunshine.\n\nA walk first thing in the morning is likely to help!\n\nIf you feel depressed for longer than a couple weeks, you should see a doctor or therapist.  Talk therapy and the right medicine are best for depression.\n\nSome nonpharmacologic methods of treating depression include psychotherapy, exercise, support groups, self-help literature, and light therapy. Patients shouldn't undergo nonpharmacologic therapies unsupervised or for prolonged periods because longer periods of depression are more resistant to treatment and 70% to 80% of patients respond to an adequate trial of pharmacologic therapy.7,12,16,17
1042778
Stop worrying about whatever you're thinking about.  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which trancends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:6-7)\n\nI like to read, which helps me to fall asleep.  Nothing heavy, just some light fiction to help me take my mind off whatever problems I've been working on that day.\n\n\nWarm milk before bed also helps.  My son really likes that.
819149
Just saw on the news a family who has one son serving in Iraq for the SECOND time, & another off in Florida "training." That's enough to make anybody sad. I suppose there can be any number of reasons, & I've "heard" many people are depressed on holidays, not just Thanksgiving. Except for the situation like the one above, I've no idea. I've always enjoyed them. But then, I tend to focus on the "upside" of everything!\n\n*** Just read a couple of answers why some people are sad. I'm truly sorry. I just lost two very good friends, (I don't have any family), & for various reasons, didn't have anyone to "MY" house nor did I feel like driving anywhere, so I roasted a turkey breast & did all the other stuff & it was fun. Now I can go have a turkey sandwich & pecan pie with my kitty & enjoy festive lights across the lake. (NO! My kitty doesn't get any turkey or pie! She's on a diet & wouldn't want it anyway!) Guess you have to open your senses to all the really good things, in spite of the in spite ofs....
559242
Do whatever makes you the happiest.  Whether it be going dancing or sitting down and reading a book.  It's hard to get over but that's what friends and family are there for... to support you and help you through tough times.  Always remember tomorrows a new day.
126451
Find something to get involved in to keep your mind busy, hang with friends, and call home alot!  I'm sure your family misses you too, and would love to talk to you!
194154
I'll always reward myself with little present, spend myself to watch moving "egg: funny movie, meaning full movie", get a close friend go traveling...etc. but what important is yourself must think positively, make yourself happy, do the thing that can make yourself happy. if you can switch your mood positively. go to find a good book to "clean" your sad & lonly heart. Be happy, coz there r still someone care about you.
578509
listen to some music, jump around the room like a chipmunk on speed. take it easy, let urself be in a grump if it needs to be. DONT hurt urself, among others it will make this time harder to forget when its over. take care x x
178026
Sometimes life is like a roller coaster... not just the ups and downs, but the feeling you have just before going straight down.  It is so difficult to comprehend that\nwhat you are going through is temporary.  A smooth sea doesn't make a good sailor... all the rough times will \nbenefit you in the long run if you stick it out.  It's\nnot the problems in life, but how we deal with them.  \nTry getting involved with something you can do to escape\n(art, music, reading, volunteering, etc.)  Focus on the \ngood things about yourself and your life.  Try to be \npositive even when you don't feel positive.  Remember,\nnot too many people will be concerned about your problems\nwhen they have problems of their own.  Relax.  Smile.\nThe sun is still shining and in spite of Chicken Little's\nrumor, the sky is not falling.
913018
You need to find motivation to do things and be happy.  If you are stressed, keep in mind that most of the things you are stressed about (work, school, gf/bf, etc...) will probably not be at all important to you in a month, maybe even in a week or tomorrow.\n\nWhat I do to prevent myself from being stressed is to think about what I just said, take a deep breath, and just relax. I don't know exactly what your situation is, but just remember that everything will turn out okay in the end(it always does) and try and look at the bigger picture.  Don't stress about the little things.\n\nAs for depression, maybe you're just feeling bummed about stuff because you don't want to do anything.  I always get depressed if  I end up staying in my house for prolonged periods of time.  So, even though you might not want to, get out of the house! Call up one of your friends that you haven't seen in a while and ask them to see a movie with you, or do something fun that you've never done before.  You might be depressed if you are just bored with your life.  So, go snowboarding (if there's snow where you are), try a weird ethnic restaurant, join a yoga or ballroom dancing class with a friend, even if you think it's ridiculous because you will still end up having a good time.  \n\nI hope this helps some.  If you're depressed, you can always email me to talk, I don't mind. Sometimes you just need someone who is willing to listen to what's going on in your life.  Good luck :)
568382
Most Possibly it is the Seasonal Depression Disorder... I don't think this "disorder" cares what time of the year it is, and it could be caused by all kinds of things. Also, when things go wrong all at once, it is just your turn. A lot of people experience this throughout the year, and just like you, it happens all at once. I call it the "balance of nature", like sometimes the gazelle are able to get away from the cheetahs who are hunting them, and sometimes not. Hence, you are the gazelle, and he cheetahs are everything going wrong. The week is closing, so I hope you feel better soon. Try to make yourself go out and do something to take your mind off it. I understand it can be hard, but try.
463375
Your mental health is linked to your physical health so a good  diet and regular exercise will help. In places with hard winters some people get seasonal affective disorder due to the lack of exposure to sunlight. Your "self-talk" is very important too so if feeling down maybe write a list of all the ways you are a great person and why others like you. Comparing yourself negatively with other people won't help. Maybe write down every day one thing you can be thankful for. If you are feeling depressed talk about it with others or seek medical advice. You are not alone and people care.
595631
try to keep yourself ocupied most of the time and avoid spending time alone!talk on the internet watch something interesting on tv,anything.Go out with your friends.\nAnother thing would be to keep some sort of a diary where you should write everything you feel with the most details.\nDon't listen to depresive music and try to stay away from the thing that initialy caused your depresion.
783555
Try to make the best out of a situation you know is not going to be pleasant. Your the better person. However, don't take any shit either, stand up for yourself if it should get out of control.\nWish you a "Happy Thanksgiving Day".\nGod bless