Handling Seasonal Affective Disorder during the winter holiday months

ABILENE, Texas — As the seasons are changing and Christmas is right around the corner, stress for parents and families can be at an all-time high, whether that is trying to find the perfect gift, or not breaking the bank. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition that affects millions of Americans every year this time of the year.

SAD is quite common this time of year due to the lack of sunlight and a drop in temperatures, but trying to make the holidays perfect for everyone just adds more stress to the season. It affects about five percent of adults in the US and starts in the Fall, continuing through Winter.

Everyone has seen the holiday movies that make Christmas seem picture perfect, but the bottom line is that life isn’t a movie.

Dr. Marc Orner tells us those Hollywood endings shouldn’t be our expectations and that this disorder affects the whole family.

“The problem about holidays is that you see it on television. You see it in the movies and you get a false sense of what the holiday is for all these different families.”

Those perfect holiday scenarios can give parents and families members the idea that if you don’t break the bank on holiday decorations, or give the perfect presents then Christmas won’t be magical for the family. However, the real spirit of the holidays lies in who you spend them with, rather than what you get.

“I suggest that for every family or whatever, hug your kids. This is a holiday time; make this a family time. Hug your kids or your spouse or significant other, do something together. Realize it’s not the amount of money you spend, it is the amount of productive time that you spend with each other,” Dr. Orner suggested to help relieve the incredible stress for the holiday season.

He also told us that, “Just as the leaves fall down, you and I as people fall down. We have to be prepared for it and practice, so we don’t let it affect our well-being.”

These practices Dr. Orner tells us about are as simple as going outside and getting as much sunlight as possible, taking at least a five-minute walk, and just enjoying your time with friends and family. That is because after all it is what this season is all about.

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