EPISODE: #175- Healing Through The Holidays: Practical Ways To Protect Your Mental Health

The lights are bright, the music is cheerful—and your chest still feels heavy. We open up about the holiday blues with a candid look at grief, anxiety, and the pressure to perform happiness when your heart isn’t there. Together we unpack why this season can intensify hard feelings and how to care for yourself without apology or explanations.

We start by naming what’s real: sadness, irritability, loneliness, and fatigue can surge during the holidays, even for people who don’t usually struggle with depression or anxiety. Then we explore the forces that turn up the volume—expectations, finances, social media comparison, and routines that fall apart just when you need them most. If you’re grieving a loved one, we talk about why traditions can sting and how to create gentler rituals that honor your person while protecting your nervous system.

You’ll hear practical ways to set boundaries that stick, with simple phrases you can use to right-size plans, skip events, or leave early without guilt. We map grounding habits that make a difference fast: steady sleep windows, morning light, short walks, and tech boundaries that quiet the mind. We also share low-pressure approaches to connection so you can ask for support or opt out with care. The through line is compassion—toward yourself first—because joy is not a requirement for survival, and rest is a valid choice.

If the holidays feel heavy instead of bright, you’re not alone. Press play for tools, validation, and a calmer way through the season. If this helped, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so others can find these resources.

Chapters

• 0:10 Welcome And Mission
• 1:17 Naming The Holiday Blues
• 2:04 Grief, Pressure, And Expectations
• 3:11 You Are Not Alone
• 4:29 Permission To Opt Out And Rest

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:10

Hello and welcome to Win Over Depression, your beacon of hope in the realm of mental health. I am your host, Tamara Trotter. I am your companion on the journey to reclaiming joy and resilience. And this podcast will unravel the vital importance of managing your well-being amidst life's challenges, from practical strategies to uplifting stories and expert advice. Each episode is a roadmap to cultivating mental wellness and overcoming the grip of depression. Whether you are seeking solace for yourself or supporting a friend, here you will find the tools and inspiration to navigate the complexities of emotional health. Join me as we embark on a transformative quest to prioritize self-care, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit. Let's together redefine the narrative of depression and embrace a life of purpose and fulfillment. Hello and welcome to Win Over Depression. Today we'll be talking about how to get through the holiday blues. You know, holidays are a time to enjoy family, to share fellowship, and just spend time together. But sometimes people experience very different situations during this holiday season. Some people are celebrating the first season without their loved one, and it can be very difficult. Some may not even celebrate the holidays because it's just too painful. So if you're listening to this today and the holidays feel heavy instead of joyful, I want you to know something important right away. There is nothing wrong with you. You are not broken, ungrateful, or failing because this season feels hard. For many people living with depression and anxiety, the holidays can intensify emotions rather than ease them. Expectations rise, memories resurface, finances get tight, energy gets low, and the pressure to appear happy can feel exhausting. When you are grieving the loss of a loved one, there is oftentimes unimaginable pain that you are experiencing during this time. But I want you to give yourself some grace because it's difficult, because this may be a first or a second or even a fifth, but it doesn't mean that it goes away. We just learn how to deal with the loss of a loved one. Just know that you don't have to force joy, you don't have to perform peace, and you are allowed to simply be. The holiday blues often show up as sadness, irritability, loneliness, fatigue, anxiety, or a sense of emptiness. For those already navigating depression and anxiety, these feelings may feel deeper or more persistent. If you are experiencing holiday blues and you don't normally suffer from depression and anxiety, what you're experiencing is situational depression. And it is based on the grieving that you're feeling, whatever you're going through is causing you in this situation to be depressed and anxious. This season can stir grief for loved ones who are no longer here, disappointment about unmet expectations, financial stress, comparison triggered by social media, and a disrupted routine that normally helps you cope. There are many people across the country, across the world, even, that are experiencing the same situation that you are, maybe even the same circumstance. So please know that you are not alone and it doesn't mean that you are weak. It just means that you are human. One of the most powerful steps toward healing during the holiday season is giving yourself permission to not feel festive. You do not owe anyone cheerfulness, you do not owe anyone explanations, you do not owe anyone emotional labor. It's okay to say I'm taking things slow this year, I'm honoring my mental health, I'll participate in what I can. Joy is not a requirement for survival, rest is.