Post Holiday/Winter Blues anxiety

[normasbro]

Does anyone else have really bad depression/anxiety once the holiday high wears off and we are stuck with dark/gloomy nights?

Once night hits and ever since New Years Day, I’ve either had panic attacks or very high anxiety and constantly fighting off panic attacks.

I practice mindfulness throughout the day but at night once the sun sets it’s like nothing worked to ward it away. Mindless activities like board games, puzzles, reading, tv, and art don’t work unless I have someone available to talk to during them.

Does anyone have suggestions for when they are by themselves and a friend/family isn’t free to chat for an hour? I travel a lot for work and often alone in hotel rooms. Thanks!

[Ladybug9]

What you are experiencing is very common and normal. This year had to be so much harder on so many due to the virus. We had to cancel Christmas with family this year. I took the Christmas decorations the day after Christmas. It honestly didn't feel like Christmas at all this year. Please believe me when I say you are not alone in what you are feeling and going through.

[KailaLili]

Can you describe what your panic attacks are like? What do you do to get yourself through them? I'm curious if what I'm going through is similar.

The holidays are tough...and I tend to experience anxiety during the entire holiday season, and really hit me hard on Dec 31, as I was alone. I finally snapped out of it when I stuck some Disney movies in, and escaped reality for a bit. I just wish I could turn my mind off sometimes.

[normasbro in reply to KailaLili]

Yeah certainly. I get stuck in a downward spiral of instant depression and anxiety for other things going on. A big trigger is sudden changes at work for things that are in reality are out of my control but i take it upon myself and stress out about a solution.

This then causes a downward spiral into wanting to escape my situation as the compounding factor of it being dark and gloomy making our home feel smaller. It then places me back into fear of winding up in the ER. And now with COVID it makes it that much scarier.

Things to help have been calling friends but I can’t count on them as they have lives too. If this is familiar at all, you definitely arent alone!

[KailaLili in reply to normasbro]

Yes, change (any change) can certainly trigger the stress/anxiety! I recently got a new position at work and Im still adjusting...felt a bit out of place from the change, and lost...like still trying to find my purpose...Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!

[Junella]

Read positive books, build a spiritual life, avoid violent movies; remember spring will come and what it looks like.

[sophie4]

So sorry to hear this. How about writing in a journal...like, get it all out!!! Luna_Child recently wrote a Post about brain dumping...fabulous and helpful. Just remember...Spring is around the corner!!!