There’s a lot of emphasis on family during Thanksgiving. That’s wonderful if you have a lot of family and they get along well. Thanksgiving can be a joyous occasion filled with friends, family, and feasting on some great food. For the most part there’s a lot to be thankful for, yet sometimes the holiday can be difficult.

For some, the holidays create distress that can lead to depression. There are a lot of reasons why some people experience tension, stress, and depression during the holiday season. Some reasons might include-

• Recent loss- family, job, or other
• Illness
• Injury
• Overwhelm

In and of themselves, these can cause mental health issues that can be magnified during the holidays. It’s important to recognize how the holidays can cause depression and take steps to prevent or manage it when it becomes an issue.

Here are some valuable steps to take to avoid depression during Thanksgiving

Value step #1. Be open about your situation– Suffering in silence is never a good or noble thing. It might seem like the right thing to minimize or hide your pain during the holidays. No one wants to bring people down during this time of year. You don’t have to walk in complete doom and gloom to be open about your situation. Being honest with others about how you feel during the holidays opens up opportunities to work through your feelings and get the support you need to prevent or manage depression.

Value step #2. Eat right, sleep well, and exercise- One of the chief contributors to depression is lack of self-care. When you feel awful it’s easier to sleep a lot or not enough, eat comfort foods, and lay about. These activities contribute to budding or full-blown depression. Take steps to keep healthy and make the best choices available for your physical and mental health.

Value step #3. Don’t be afraid to shake things up- If you are managing a tough season it may be a good time to shake things up. Get honest with yourself about what you need to feel your best during the holiday. It might be connection with people, it might be getting away, it might be cancelling the holiday and doing something else. Whatever you need to manage your emotions and stay healthy is important. Be intentional about how you’d like to spend your day and go after it.

Thanksgiving is about gratitude. Being grateful for the bounty and blessings you have. There are years when that feels hard to find. It’s ok. There are many people who are working through a tough season. You aren’t alone. Take the steps you need to help prevent or manage your depression and you’ll find yourself enjoying the holiday rather than dreading it.