Don’t Let the Holidays Keep You Down

At this time of year, after Christmas, when the sunlight is short (though now getting a bit longer each day!), some of us are prone to “feeling blue” or suffering from “seasonal-affective disorder” (yep, otherwise known as SAD). Perhaps it’s brought on solely by our lack of light (especially in even more northern latitudes than Central Texas), but it’s also possibly due to a “let-down” feeling after the holidays are over.

Perhaps we have regrets over how the holidays went for us: friends or family who promised to come, but didn’t or couldn’t; arguments with a sibling or cousin; a spiteful comment made after too many beers, cocktails, or glasses of wine; too much holiday debt on our credit cards; a deceased loved one especially missed at Christmas; or even a colossal flop when we tried to make a treasured family holiday recipe. Maybe the hard freeze and a lack of water or electricity ruined what would otherwise have been a perfect celebration.

I am NOT a mental health professional; I have, however, certainly suffered from serious bouts of depression (requiring help from health-care professionals and counselors) earlier in my life. From my experiences, I believe that whatever our reasons for sinking into a near-depression state after the holidays or at other times of the year, it’s always best if we can somehow get back to looking forward with hope, and then to help others to do so.

While the month of May is actually Mental Health Awareness Month, I believe we ought to be aware of mental health challenges earlier in the calendar year, and so here’s my challenge to each of you. In January and early February, when we celebrate the liturgical season of Epiphany, a time of revelation of Jesus’ ministry on earth, we can also reveal things to one another that are signs of our love and care: ASK those around you how they are feeling now that Christmas and New Year celebrations are over. Be intentional in listening to how they respond. It’s the listening that’s important, and NOT dismissing how they tell us they are feeling, if they are blue. “Cheer up” or “Get over it!” does NOT work in this situation.

I like to think that the visit of Mary (the mother of Jesus) to Elizabeth, her cousin, before the birth of their babies, was a “mental health” visit: Mary needed to share her news of the angel’s visitation with someone who was likely to “get it”! Equally likely, I believe, is that they visited again sometime after their boys were born. Not all new mothers find themselves overjoyed after the trauma of giving birth: too many suffer what is now called post-partum depression. Again, urging someone to “Cheer up!” or “Get over it!” is not likely to help. Listen intentionally, help out with the housework or other mundane tasks, encourage the individual to communicate with a doctor or other healthcare professional to get help.

I still recall very well the day I walked out of my first appointment with the mental health professional I saw in San Antonio in spring, 1986: I was laughing out loud and crying with the first joy I had sensed in months, both at the same time, after my very first appointment, because I knew my deep sadness and virtual inability to work were NOT things that were permanent--I had hope at last. Hope at last! Yes, that’s what faith encourages in us also. We look forward to the future with hope. The anticipation of a better future is more healthful and happiness-creating than dwelling on a gloomy past. We can be better, we can feel more fulfilled, more joyous, more like a servant of others, if we just try to do the little things that make others’ lives better: smile, ask, listen, express concern, encourage, praise, and suggest professional help when it is needed and beyond our capacity to provide it. Live in hope, dear friends, today and always!

Annette Citzler is a La Grange native and former professor at Texas Lutheran University.