Tis the Season to Manage Depression

The holiday season brings a range of emotions, including euphoria and excitement. This is also the time for depression, and many people dread December for this reason. The bright lights, music, and eggnog don't seem to help, and one can feel emotionally and spiritually parched. Take hope! It's not end of the world. You can get a handle on your emotions by taking healthy steps:

1. Acknowledge you're wandering in a "desert." The reason many people get stuck in depression is they refuse to admit they are depressed. While there's no need to broadcast your emotions to everyone, it is crucial to embrace the truth. Also, do not wallow in guilt over how you feel; there's no law or verse in the Bible to condemn you. Bringing your heart to the surface can become the first step in deliverance.

2. Understand the goodness of the desert. Wandering the deserts of life is a common occurrence. Eventually, all humans enter this space. If you approach this time with the right attitude, your holiday blues can result in creative solutions and improved life skills. The Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years, and during that time, experienced God on deep levels through corporate worship, feasts and holidays, and public teaching. Sure, there were tough times, but there were beautiful times, too. Surely, those who chose humility over pride found deep connection with God.

3. Write in a journal. Many people do not like this step because they associate journaling with writing zillions of pages. Not so. You can process your emotions with as little as one word per day. Think creatively. Draw pictures. Draft lists. Craft a poem. Write a letter to yourself. Write helpful verses, such as Psalm 23 and 102. Journal quickly and spend only 10 minutes a day. There is healing power in recording your thoughts.

4. Talk to a trusted friend. Seek a mature mentor and share your feelings. Find someone who will listen to the cry of your heart and not judge you. Vocalizing your thoughts and feelings may be all you need to trigger creative ideas for your situation. Be sure to set a time limit for this conversation so you don't dump on your friend for hours. Thirty minutes or less is a good time frame.

5. Give. Occasionally, get your mind off your troubles by blessing the people around you. Send Christmas cards. Bake cookies for the neighbors. Take a friend to lunch. Tell someone they are special. You may find you feel better just with this step alone.

6. Rest. The frenzy of the holidays can create stress. When you are depressed, stress will breed exhaustion and, therefore, more depression. When possible, take a walk or go to bed early. Read a calming book by a fireplace. Discover what nurtures your soul and do that activity often.

When all else fails, it could be a good idea to sit down with a caring counseling professional who can help you identify the source of your emotions and coach you to victory. No matter what steps you take, know that you can find peace in the desert, as well as a way out.

Lisa is a Christian writer who explores the joy and pain of the human experience. Whether at home or on international travel, she loves to study and write about interesting people and lessons gleaned from their examples. For real income she writes Bible study curriculum that is also linked to her people study. She resides in Denver, Colorado.

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