Embracing the Holiday Season: Finding Joy and Connection Amidst the Blues with Vitalia Mentor

For many, the holiday season is a joyful, happy time built around togetherness, family, and friends. Still, for some, it can be very stressful and filled with overwhelming expectations, depression, and anxiety. The holiday season can be a reminder of those who are not with us anymore, financial limitations, sadness from being separated from loved ones, and the loss of treasured traditions. 

At Vitalia Mentor, we understand celebrating this time of year doesn’t have to be sad or overwhelming. It can be a peaceful time of reminiscing, volunteering, spending time with friends, and creating new traditions!

Some common causes of depression during the holiday season are:

• seasonal depression
• loneliness
• grief
• financial stress

The signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress we should monitor for during the holiday season include persistent feelings of sadness or anxiety, a noticeable disinterest in activities that once brought joy, heightened irritability or restlessness, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite.

To help residents eliminate the holiday blues, we are committed to fostering a sense of belonging. We support those navigating grief by extending a compassionate ear, inviting them to share their holiday stories that hold cherished memories of loved ones. Loneliness is one of the most common causes of depression in older adults during the holiday season. To help combat that, we engage in shared events like reminiscing over family photos, enjoying seasonal music, or crafting together, creating a community bond. 

New and fulfilling traditions are encouraged within our community by actively listening to the diverse backstories of our residents. If a resident wishes to share a cherished tradition with the community, we should warmly welcome and facilitate such exchanges.

The holiday season means different things to each of us. The holidays are about family, friends, food, and tradition. For many, the smells, tastes, and decorations bring memories flooding back. We hope some of these ideas will be helpful as the holidays approach.