How to cope with post-festival depression?

This blog answers: How to cope with post-festival depression? What is post-festival depression? What are the symptoms of post-festival anxiety? What is depression? What are the symptoms of depression? What are the treatment options for depression?

How to cope with post-festival depression?

Some ways to cope with post-festival depression are:

Get sufficient sleep

The festive season can be mentally and physically exhausting for many individuals. Individuals likely feel fatigued after a long festive season. To feel lively and positive again individuals need to make up for the insufficient sleep during this period.

Many research indicates that there is a strong relationship between depression and improper sleep patterns. Hence if individuals want to avoid feeling depressed post-festival they must make sure they make up for the disruptions in their sleep patterns.

Eat healthy

Festive seasons involve food that is high in calories and sweets this can involve traditional sweets, oily and fried food which makes an individual lazy, grumpy, and experiencing low mood gradually.

To detox naturally, individuals must consume foods high in vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber to restore the body’s metabolism and energy which in turn makes them feel good.

Don’t isolate

In severe cases, individuals who experience post-festival depression tend to lock themselves up in their house without any socializing activity. Individuals must keep in touch with their social circles to feel calm and composed. This also helps them to share their feelings about the festivals and post festivals with the concerned social group.

Exercise

Exercise is a clinically proven mood enhancer due to the production of happy hormones such as endorphins. Hence those individuals who are experiencing post-festival depression can take small activities such as 20 minutes to walk, do yoga, or do Zumba to feel active and light mentally and physically.

Speak about the festivals

Another way to deal with a low mood after a festival is to speak about all the events related to it with a close one this helps to dwell on the positive emotions for a little longer. This also helps form stronger bonds between individuals which helps individuals feel belonged and loved.

Plan the next festival

The best way to battle low mode after a festival is to look up the calendar and plan for the next one. This keeps individuals in a loop where they do not feel a sense of loss. 

Planning a festival requires a lot of mental and physical strain and this kind of exhaustion can motivate individuals to uplift their mood and behavior.

Distract yourself

It is very natural for individuals to experience post-festival depression due to the strong bonds that they share with their social circles and the number of efforts they put in for a great show. 

To avoid low mood and negative thoughts and emotions that follow after a festive season come to an end individuals can reconcile with their hobbies which keeps them distracted and also bring out the creative side in them.

What is post-festival depression?

Post-festival depression involves feelings of sadness after a festival comes to an end. Experiencing long hours of standing, dancing, and positive energies can result in a “low” after, for the following hours, days, or even weeks in some cases.

What are the symptoms of post-festival anxiety?

The symptoms of post-festival anxiety are: 

• Fatigue 
• Experiencing low mood or restlessness.
• Feeling a sense of loss.
• Lack of interest in performing daily chores 
• Lack of socialization 
• Dwelling on the memories associated with the festival
• Procrastination 

What is depression?

Depression is one of the most common serious mental health conditions that negatively impact how an individual feels and thinks.

Depression is associated with feelings of sadness, a loss of interest in daily activities, and drastic changes in the energy level and the daily routines of an individual.

Depression in itself can lead to other physical and emotional problems which can be detrimental to a person’s functioning.

The symptoms of depression can vary from individual to individual from mild to severe depending on various factors.

Studies indicate that depression affects about 15% of adults every year and one in every six people experience depression at some time in their life.

Although depression can occur at any age it is more common among teenagers and early adults. Research indicates that women are more vulnerable to depression than men.

What are the symptoms of depression?

The characteristic symptoms of depression are:

• Feelings of sadness or depressed mood
• Loss of interest in activities enjoyed in the past
• Changes in appetite leading to weight gain or weight loss
• Changes in sleep patterns with very little sleep or long hours of sleep
• Decrease in the level of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Feeling guilty
• Difficulty thinking and concentrating
• In severe cases thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of depression must last up to two weeks and cause significant impairment in an individual’s daily functioning to meet the diagnosis of depression.

What are the treatment options for depression?

Depression though widespread is one of the most treatable mental illnesses. About 90% of people with depression respond well to treatment.

Some possible treatment options for depression are

Medication

Antidepressants are very commonly prescribed by doctors to individuals with depression. These medications are not sedatives or tranquilizers. They generally do not have any stimulating effects on people who do not experience depression.

Antidepressants usually show their effects within a few weeks. However, in cases where patients do not see any improvement after several weeks, they can alter their doses based on the suggestions provided by their health care practitioners.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is also called talk therapy. It is used as a single mode of treatment for mild depression or for moderate to severe depression along with antidepressants.

Psychotherapy might involve the individual alone or other related individuals for instance the family of the concerned person.

Depending on the severity of depression psychotherapy might take a few weeks or much longer for significant improvement

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy where the therapist actively focuses on problem-solving. This is done by helping individuals replace their negative thoughts with more positive ones.

Electroconvulsive therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment model that is commonly used for patients with severe and major depression who usually do not respond to other lines of treatment.

It involves brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia.

Patients receive electroconvulsive therapy two or three times a week for a total of 6 to 12 sessions.

Self-help and coping strategies

Apart from therapy and medicine individuals can also carry out some self-help coping strategies such as carrying out regular exercises, getting sufficient sleep, indulging in pleasurable activities, maintaining a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol to reduce their symptoms of depression

Conclusion

Festivals are one such thing that is celebrated across the globe. It requires a lot of mental and physical involvement and leaves a lasting emotional impression. That’s the reason why when it comes to an end many individuals might experience low mood and depression.

However, individuals must understand and acknowledge the fact that these are events that can’t last forever yet provide the best memories and experiences that individuals must cherish. There are various ways that individuals can use to cope with their initial festive blues.

 

Frequently asked questions: How to cope with post-festival depression?

What is post-festival depression?

Post-festival depression refers to the blue mood experienced by many individuals after the thrill of the festival.

Why do festivals make me sad?

Many people report experiencing sadness in the light of festivals this can lead to various reasons such as guilt, grief, or even social anxiety.

Can depression be developed over time?

The exact reason for depression is not well known however reports indicate that depression can develop over time due to the buildup of stress.

Is there any such thing as festival flu?

Festival flu is nothing but a common cold that individuals experience due to a lack of hygiene such as hand wash, hydration, and a challenging weather

 

Citation

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression

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