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By: Jennifer Scott
The holidays are a time of joy for many. But, for newly-divorced single parents who struggle with depression, the season can be anything but merry. For them, the end of the year is tinged with sadness and, quite often, anxiety about what the future may hold. For single parents still getting used to the holidays, here are some things to keep in mind.
Accept Your Feelings
The first step is to accept and validate the way you feel. Remember that compassion is a major theme in holiday films and traditions. Learn to be compassionate towards your own suffering. Avoid the temptation to suppress or deny your emotions. Acknowledge and embrace them as part of who you are.
Create New Traditions
Holidays bring recurring rituals, like the once-a-year dinner where Grandma breaks out the good dishes and everyone tries to stay awake after a meal of wine and turkey. But traditions, like everything else in life, adapt to changing circumstances. So create your own favorite annual activities.
Do you love take-out Italian food? Declare the day after Thanksgiving to be National Spaghetti and Meatballs Day, and load up on your favorite carbs. Make Christmas Eve an occasion to visit the beach or a state park to collect seashells or pine cones to use for tree ornaments. Defining yourself leads to empowering yourself, which is a potent tool for dispelling the blues.
Make Rest a Priority
Sleep deprivation is a common problem for single parents. You may find yourself overwhelmed with new responsibilities as a result of a lifestyle change, while fighting to keep your sanity amidst a flood of conflicting emotions. Who has time to rest with all that going on? But depriving yourself of sleep is a short-term strategy that can lead to problems. Lack of rest can exacerbate depression, rob you of willpower, and make ordinary tasks seem like arduous trials. So do everything possible to get enough sleep, even if it means letting the house get a little messy or leaning on a friend or relative for help. You'll enjoy your improved well-being as a result.
Reach Out
11 million US households have a single parent at the helm, so you're not alone. There are many who are experiencing struggles similar to yours. You'll find support groups online and in communities across the country. Reaching out to these folks can help you bear up when nothing else seems to work.
Reinvent Yourself
Adversity can often inspire us towards self-improvement. Changing your life for the better may mean starting an exercise program or just picking up a good book. But it could also mean making an even bigger change. For example, you might go back to school for an advanced degree so that you can make the career change you’ve been considering. Or, if you still live in the same home that you did when you and your partner were together, a move and the change of scenery that comes with it, both for you and your children, might be the best medicine. You can involve your kids in the home search, and find a new place where you can all thrive. Ahead of move day, search “best moving companies near me” to find professionals in your area who can carry the load for you so the day is less stressful. Whichever way you choose to improve yourself, you'll find the benefits make the effort more than worthwhile.
Know When to See a Healthcare Provider
Sometimes depression is more than a result of external circumstances. This is especially true if a certain time of year brings with it a marked change in your mood. This is one of the chief symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Many people associate this condition with winter. However, Mayo Clinic experts suggest that any season can cause the symptoms of the disorder to manifest. Common warning signs include:
● Low energy.
● Poor appetite.
● Morbid or suicidal thoughts.
Get help right away if you suspect a medical cause for your thoughts and feelings. There are medications and treatment options that can help you to feel better.
The holidays are tough sometimes, especially if you're on your own. But the tips in this post can help you to draw joy and inspiration from the season, setting you on the path to a positive and fulfilling new year. We wish you all the best this holiday season.