Here's why you might be feeling the holiday blues and how you can manage it

Have you been feeling down lately? Could it be the holiday blues?

A recent PinoyMD episode said research suggests that what we've come to refer to as holiday blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), may have something to do with winter — cold weather and less sunshine, affecting person's vitamin D levels.

It is the sadness a person feels during winter, on big occasions like Christmas and New Year.

According to psychiatrist Ronald Elapano, sadness is a normal emotion and reaction to things happening around us, to what we're experiencing especially amid the pandemic.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Elapano said Seasonal Affective Disorder is actually only a variant of a major depressive disorder.

"It's not necessarily the holiday itself causing the problem, but rather the experience during that time," he said.

According to PinoyMD, some of its causes may be fatigue and stress, extreme commercialism, and lack of money.

Elapano said you won't automatically be able to determine that it's the holiday blues.

"You have to look at it in the sequence of every year or years, na okay the rest of the year tapos December ka lang or during the winter ka lang nalulungkot. Doon mo makikita there's a seasonal pattern," he said.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

PinoyMD said getting enough sleep and rest, exercising, and avoiding alcohol and overeating could help you avoid the holiday blues.

Additionally, keeping in touch with close families and friends can also help lessen the holiday blues.

PinoyMD said if you're feeling the holiday blues for more than 2 weeks you might need to check in with a professional on your mental health condition.

Elapano said "with the pandemic I think I have to say you can also look at it as an opportunity for us to slow down."

— Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News