LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The holidays are a time of joy, but it can also be a time of loneliness, stress and anxiety.
"You're not alone. You’re not the only one who feels the holiday blues, seasonal depression or just feeling off," Licensed therapist Gail Bibb said.
Bibb says the loss of a loved one, interacting with family and time change can affect our mood. Additionally, our holiday expectations that potentially don't match reality play a part.
"With the holiday travel, cancellations from airlines that can prevent families from being together, you’re losing out on memories that could be created for what you hoped the holidays, you know, would bring," she said.
Bibb says we sometimes look for perfection or compare our holiday experiences with others.
"I think that we have this allusion that we have to have it all together particularly with social media. Everybody’s putting their best highlight reels on there and we're all trying to fit in," she said. "But to be real and to be honest how you're feeling, and acknowledging that, enough time to get help is important."
Bib recommends different forms of therapy, speaking with a trusted friend or giving yourself space. She says it's also important to recognize that 24/7 happiness during the holidays, or ever, is not realistic.
"It's okay to feel sad. It's okay to feel angry. It's okay to feel afraid. It's okay to feel all of your emotions and happiness is not the only one that can be celebrated. All of your emotions are important, and all of them need to be expressed," she said.
If you are in crisis, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
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