TEN TIPS FOR FIGHTING HOLIDAY DEPRESSION

1. Maintain your regular schedule. If you notice you are cutting back on your sleep, for example, remember the holiday season lasts for a few weeks and pace yourself.
   

2. Surround yourself with support. Being with friends and family can help fight loneliness and give you the support you need. 
   

3. Set limits. Unrealistic expectations can trigger unnecessary stress. Set limits on your spending, your energy and yourself.
   

4. Eat healthy. Include healthy food choices among holiday sweets. Too much sugar, chocolate and caffeine can interfere with normal moods and contribute to emotional imbalance.
   

5. Avoid alcohol. If you are taking any medication -- particularly antidepressants, as this may make symptoms worse.
   

6. Monitor your medication. Make sure you have enough medication on hand during shortened holiday pharmacy hours. Check with your doctor about any dosage changes.  
   

7. Exercise. Have snowball fights, walk through the mall before stores open, jog to the post office with holiday cards, do anything that will get you moving. 
   

8. Create new holiday traditions. Sometimes hanging onto the past can trigger memories that contribute to a depressive mood, new traditions mean new and exciting memories. 
   

9. Take it one day at a time. You can only accomplish a certain number of things.
   

10. Relax. Give yourself a ‘time-out’ to retreat from holiday stress, which can also trigger depressive symptoms.

If you need more information on depression or bipolar disorder, please contact the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance at 1.800.826.3632.