Duncan McRae House

Older Adults Can Fight Holiday Blues Before or After Christmas

Seniors may find themselves noticing they can’t seem to get in the holiday spirit. This may be a good time to adjust expectations and allow negative feelings to exist.

Older adults may not feel so excited about winter holidays as they used to. It can be caused by a number of things, but can be dealt with as part of the range of normal feelings. Progress can come from accepting the negative feelings as well as taking proactive steps and healthy holiday tips to get through the season.

Possible Causes of Holiday Blues Among Older Adults

It can be as simple as financial and social pressures or as complex as a lingering loneliness or grief which is intensified by all the talk about family closeness and love. When individuals have lost family members or friends the sadness is often intensified during this time of year. There is also reason to believe the decreased exposure to light adds to the mix due to shorter days and the tendency to stay inside during the winter. The Staff at the Duncan McRae House assisted living facility in Mt. Vernon, Georgia are aware of this disorder and are ready to help when needed.

At times it is a combination of Christmas holiday stress and seasonal affective disorder, commonly referred to as SAD, where winter blues can coincide with the winter holiday season. In addition, many seniors’ diet often contains excessive sugar and carbs, thus contributing to holiday weight gain as well as holiday blues.