GREENSBORO, N.C.-- While the holiday season is a time for love and family, it can also be a trigger for depression.
- Medical experts say there are a number of possible reasons for suffering depression during the holidays, including the loss of a loved one or a divorce
- Keeping a healthy routine, such as exercising or talking with friends, can help people suffering from depression
- The Congregational United Church of Christ offers a "Blue Christmas" for people feeling down during the holidays
Medical experts say there are a number of possible reasons for suffering depression during the holidays, including the loss of a loved one or a divorce.
“Financial stress can create depressive feelings around the holidays,” says David Gutterman, a clinical psychologist at Lebauer Behavioral Medicine. “Sometimes there’s people who suffered from seasonal affect disorder, which means they begin to get depressed when they have many days of gray weather.”
He says keeping a healthy routine, such as exercising or talking with friends, can help people suffering from depression. Loved ones can also offer space and support during the season.
The Congregational United Church of Christ offers a "Blue Christmas" for people feeling down during the holidays.
According to Pastor Julie Peeples, the mission of the service is to leave people with a new sense of hope and let them know they are not alone. “There’s others who are going through a difficult time and there are people praying for them and with them,” says Peeples
The service is open to all and will be held on December 18 at 7 p.m.