The holiday season isn’t joyful for everyone. For many, it’s a time when grief, loneliness, or stress intensify—and holiday depression can feel overwhelming. I know this firsthand.
During my darkest days, I faced nearly every stressful life change at once: moving to a new town, becoming a first-time mom, losing my job, my marriage ending, caregiving for a dying uncle, and multiple surgeries for my baby. All of it was wrapped up in postpartum depression, and isolation during COVID only deepened my holiday sadness.
What saved me? Shadow work and one surprisingly simple trick that helped me slowly climb out of the darkness.
The #1 Hack That Helped Me Through Holiday Depression
It might sound too simple, but repeating the word LOVE, silently or out loud, helped calm my anxious thoughts and gave me just enough energy to try other healing tools like gratitude journaling and meditation. Over time, these practices became daily habits that lifted me out of depression during the holidays. If you’re deeply struggling, please remember: reaching out to a mental health professional is essential. In the U.S., you can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You are not alone, and support is available.
If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.
– Amit Ray
Embracing Your Emotions: It’s Okay to Feel Down
Holiday depression is real. Not everyone feels cheerful this time of year, and that’s okay. Acknowledge your emotions without judgment—whether it’s sadness, loneliness, or stress. Talk openly with trusted friends, therapists, or support groups who can offer understanding and guidance.
Protecting Your Energy During Holiday Sadness
- Set boundaries: Say no to draining events or conversations.
- Challenge negative self-talk: Write down your thoughts and reframe them.
- Create an “ancestor home”: a symbolic space to honor loved ones while setting emotional limits with grief.
Create Your Sanctuary
Find a space, physical or mental where you can retreat. Whether it’s a cozy nook with a blanket and tea, or a short guided meditation, this sanctuary can help recharge your spirit and give you strength to manage depression during the holidays.
Gentle Self-Love Practices
Holiday blues often make us push ourselves harder, but slowing down and giving yourself grace is key. Treat yourself kindly with small acts of self-care, acknowledge your accomplishments, and practice forgiveness when things don’t go as planned.
Gratitude as a Light in the Darkness
Gratitude doesn’t erase pain, but it shifts perspective. Even noticing small things—a sunrise, a friend’s text, a warm meal—can ease holiday depression and help you reconnect with hope. Try journaling, gratitude affirmations, or even keeping a “gratitude jar.”
Finding Light When Holiday Depression Feels Overwhelming
Remember that you are worthy of peace, healing, and love even in your darkest days. Take one moment today to acknowledge the small light in your life—whether it’s the sound of rain, the presence of a friend, or the simple act of breathing. You will find your guide through the shadows, leading you back to the light. And remember, when you have no energy or motivation, simply repeating the word “LOVE” will propel you forward, even if you can’t feel it immediately.
If you need spiritual help or want to explore communicating with your guides more deeply, check my Spirit Guide Boardroom. Here, we help you receive reliable answers from your Spirit Guides on a deep level, as well as a community of like-hearted and like-minded people.
Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
– J.K. Rowling
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