The holidays are a time of joy, which can make it difficult to understand why some kids have holiday depression. It’s common for children to feel stress, anxiety, or even feelings of sadness. That’s because there are unique challenges kids face that may impact their emotional stability and well-being during this time.
Knowing what is going on with your child can be confusing, especially if they aren’t communicating with you. But here are a few common reasons why children may experience depression during the holiday season.
Kids Holiday Depression – Why It Happens
Bullying at School
For children who are bullied at school, a few days off during the holidays can be a welcomed break. But this is often a temporary escape, as the memory or fear of bullying still remains. In fact, the anxiety of returning to the classroom may even be heightened.
As a parent, keep the lines of communication open about bullying with your child. Working with a mental health professional may also help them process what is happening at school. In more serious situations, interference by the school or police may also be necessary.
Lack of Vitamin D
During the winter, days tend to be colder and shorter. And without this exposure to sunlight, some people may experience a deficiency in vitamin D. This vitamin is essential not just for mood regulation, but for our health in general.
If your child is spending too much time indoors away from natural light, they may start to develop depressive symptoms. However, you may notice other physical symptoms too, like fatigue and low immunity.
To combat this, ensure your child gets some outdoor time during the day. Vitamin D supplements can also be beneficial if outdoor time is limited or not possible.
Disrupted Routines
Our internal clocks are very reliant on routines. This is especially true for kids and teenagers, as consistent routines are needed for security and stability. But with time changes, vacation days, and varying sleep schedules, these routines can become disrupted during the winter.
While many of these changes may be out of your control, do your best to maintain a healthy routine at home. Therefore, try to have set mealtimes, bedtimes, and wake-up times, even when kids aren’t at school.
Social Isolation
It can be difficult for kids to keep up their social circles if they aren’t in school. Without interaction with their friends and peers, it’s possible that your child may feel lonely. This can lead to feelings of isolation, boredom, and even depression.
Keeping your kids active and engaged is necessary for their health. Encourage them to make plans with friends or to organize virtual meet-ups if there aren’t any peers nearby. This is also a time for you to do more things together as a family, as this can also combat feelings of isolation.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affecting Disorder (also known as SAD) is a real issue that affects kids, teenagers, and adults. It’s mainly caused by the reduction in daylight hours and colder weather. These things can lead to feelings of fatigue, irritability, mood swings, and depression.
Thankfully, there are some effective ways to help alleviate the symptoms of SAD. Make sure your kids are getting enough sleep, exercising several times a week, and eating healthy meals. Light therapy or professional help can also keep people more balanced during the cold winter season.
Overstimulation
For many kids, the holiday season is a very exciting time. But for others, the amount of holiday events, family gatherings, and festive outings can be extremely overwhelming. If you have a child that is sensitive to large crowds or loud noises, you’ll need to take extra precautions to ensure they’re doing okay.
For example, you can limit the number of events planned or incorporate calming activities to help them recharge. It’s also important to stick to a regular bedtime and routine to help them manage the change and excitement of the holidays.
Gift Expectation
Some children may have high expectations when it comes down to gifts. And if they don’t get the exact present they wished for, they may feel like the holidays were a letdown. This is especially true if there is pressure to fit in or compare gifts with their peers.
Instead of making the holidays about toys and material objects, teach your kids the importance of what really matters. Spending time with loved ones and focusing on gratitude can counteract feelings of disappointment. Volunteering within the community or with a local organization can also give them purpose and perspective into the holiday season.
Difficult Family Situations
Every family is different and many don’t follow the traditional norm of what is seen on TV or written in books. But children may feel ashamed or embarrassed if they are in an atypical or difficult family situation. During the holidays, strained relationships, separations, divorces, or recent losses can amply these feelings of depression.
While it may be impossible to change your family dynamic, you can at least offer reassurance during this difficult time. Create a safe space for your child to express their feelings – with you or with a professional. Be open and communicative about complex family arrangements. Or introduce new traditions (or maintain old ones) to keep a sense of familiarity.
Helping Kids with Holiday Depression
As you can see, there are several different reasons why kids have holiday depression. But no matter the reason, the best thing you can do is to be a supportive parent. And remember, depression or feelings of sadness may not be seasonal. There may be other things impacting their mental health, like toxic stress or even being on the internet. Mental health problems are on the rise – not just for kids, but for our society as a whole. Therefore, we should all be doing a better job at building awareness and providing emotional support where we can.
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