Turkey Tailspins & Mistletoe Mulligrubs
Help for holiday depression
Regrets come less than an hour after overindulging in the otherwise regal Holiday turkey. At the time of consumption, the cuisine is delicious! But shortly, you feel as if someone has jerked the proverbial rug out from under you! You not only hurt physically, but you feel fatigued, and suddenly, your brain doesn't function properly. You feel lethargic, and your mood goes into a tailspin.
For some, these feelings are short-term and result from digesting an amino acid L-tryptophan found abundantly in our feathered friends. However, for others, it's the beginning of what mental health professionals call "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (SAD). According to Mayo Clinic, SAD is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons. It begins for most people in the fall and throughout the winter continues to zap energy to the point that no amount of kissing under the mistletoe can help cure the mulligrubs.
According to Mayo Clinic, the specific cause of SAD remains unknown. Some possible factors are:
Your biological clock- Reduced levels of sunlight in the fall and winter months. The decreased amount of the sun could disrupt your internal clock and make you feel depressed.
Serotonin is low- This neurotransmitter is a brain chemical that affects mood. Like your biological clock, serotonin is also affected by reduced sunlight.
Melatonin levels- Melatonin is a hormone primarily released at night, and it plays a role in our mood and sleep-wake cycle. A change in season can disrupt the balance of the body's level of melatonin.
Of course, there are numerous other apparent causes of depression. Some can be legitimately diagnosed as "Seasonal Affective Disorder," while others are things that just make us sad. The loss of a loved one, a divorce, a life-altering event, and the memory of any number of things that happened during a previous holiday season can trigger a downcast mood.
Treatment for this type of depression is varied, and it includes but is not limited to light therapy, medication, and psychotherapy. Be careful not to dismiss that annual funk as simply a case of the "winter blues." Get plenty of sunlight and create habits to keep your mood consistent throughout the year. According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders.
We should take any kind of depression seriously. There are times in our life when we cannot help ourselves. So, never be afraid or ashamed to reach out for professional help.
My favorite source for an antidote for anything is the Christian Bible. From it, one can glean so many points of comfort relative to depression. Here are three biblical truths that can help stabilize you;
God isn't going anywhere.
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged". Deuteronomy 31:8God has plans for you.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11God can be trusted.
You do not have to understand Him to trust Him.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
Hopefully, this holiday season, you will not be "SAD." You can croon with Andy Williams-
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year
References
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth edition. 2013.
hopkinsallchildrens.org/Patients-Families/Health-Library/HealthDocNew/Does-Eating-Turkey-Make-Me-Sleepy
New King James Bible