• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Saturday, July 5, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NewsNet Nigeria
  • Home
  • News
    • Local News
    • National
  • Politics
  • Economy
    • Oil and Gas
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • MORE
    • Interview
    • Editorial
    • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Science & Tech
    • Videos
NewsNet Nigeria
No Result
View All Result
Home Lifestyle

Depression In January? Here’s How to Avoid It

by NewsNet Nigeria
5 years ago
in Lifestyle
Depression In January? Here’s How to Avoid It
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on Whatsapp

If you feel depressed in January, it’s not just in your head.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and post-holiday blues can hit hard after the parties and tinsel fade away.

The disorder, in fact, affects at least 10 million people in the United States.

Experts say that these January blues can be caused by a number of reasons.

However, there are also many life-changing ways to avoid these seasonal downswings.

“You can shift your thought patterns, so you won’t be subjected to them,” Dr. Don Mordecai, Kaiser Permanente’s national leader for mental and behavioural health, told Healthline.

SAD has biological underpinnings and is fueled by less light.

“Fewer daylight hours wreaks havoc on the body,” Anthony DeMaria, PhD, supervising psychologist at Mt. Sinai-West Hospital’s Center for Intensive Treatment for Personality Disorders, told Healthline. “A variety of neurochemicals are affected.”

In darkness, for example, the body produces more melatonin, causing sluggishness and decreased energy.

For unknown reasons, women are more prone to having SAD, DeMaria adds.

People between ages 18 and 30 are affected too, along with people closer to the Earth’s poles.

In Maine alone, 10 per cent of the state’s inhabitants can have SAD, DeMaria noted.

To get some relief, try light therapy boxes. People can experience profound symptom relief, says DeMaria.

Aside from darker days and nights, post-holiday blues can also cloud minds and hearts.

“Many people are distracted and busy during the holiday,” Charlynn Ruan, PhD, a clinical psychologist and founder of Thrive Psychology, told Healthline. “But in January, that doesn’t happen. There are no decorations and music. And the bills also starting coming in.”

There’s a sense of what may be coming next, agrees DeMaria.

“There can be a spent feeling,” he says, “and not having enough emotional resources.”

Dealing with depression
The key to good emotional health at any time — and especially in January — is catching depression early on before it can spiral downward, experts say.

Several techniques can help increase well-being.

Start by practising better self-care during holidays, says Ruan.

Schedule a massage. Join a support group. Surround yourself with good friends and lots of love. Or start a new activity like a spinning class.

“The good thing about self-care,” she adds, “is that it pays off.”

To nurture yourself, assess your atmosphere and see how it feels, says Diane Case, a life coach and author of “Write for Recovery.”

“Then you can add uplifting things like lighting, scents, or music,” she told Healthline.

Mindfulness also uplifts by using our senses to promote awareness of present moments, says Case. Washing dishes is a wonderful time to be mindful.

“Feel the flow of water on the skin,” she advises.

Or eat your food slowly and mindfully, noting the flavours. Mindfully scan your body to see where depression exists.

“Stay in the now and check in with your body and senses,” Case says. “Make sure you’re breathing.”

Kindness and gratitude
Use problems to connect with others — and heal.

Your experiences can help others, says Case, and lift your own mood.

Studies show that random acts of kindness can be potent psychological boosts because they trigger the release of dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter.

The acts also shift our focus from ourselves to others so that we forget our problems.

“Connect in service,” Case says. “Science shows that the feeling good transmitter is greater for the giver than the receiver.”

Also, journaling can be the doorway to your inner thoughts and your ideal life, says Case.

She recommends writing faster than you think to get to the subconscious.

Don’t just journal about how miserable you are though, advises Mordecai.

Keep a gratitude journal. Research shows that an attitude of gratitude can increase happiness, improve sleep, and reduce depression.

Even the immune system is strengthened.

Gratitude is also a learned skill that can be honed over time. Write down at least five things you’re grateful for, says Case, and revisit it daily.

“Realizing how many gifts we have feels good,” she says.

Focus on things you’re grateful for, adds Mordecai. That can be yoga, a book club, walking with friends, or getting unconditional love from pets.

For an online, shareable journal, go to thnx4.org, created by the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California at Berkeley.

“Don’t give your emotions too much reality,” says Mordecai. “The way you feel at any moment is not who you are.”

Written by Constance Gustke on January 2, 2018

Previous Post

2021: A year of strange rebellion and conspiracy – Olukoya

Next Post

Nigeria records 1074 new cases of COVID-19

MORE NEWS

Senator Ned Nwoko Felicitates Dein of Agbor on 48th Birthday
Celebration

Senator Ned Nwoko Felicitates Dein of Agbor on 48th Birthday

June 30, 2025
Tinubu, Jonathan, Akpabio, Others Set for Chief Wellington Okirika Biography Launch on June 26
Celebration

Tinubu, Jonathan, Akpabio, Others Set for Chief Wellington Okirika Biography Launch on June 26

June 25, 2025
Pondi Celebrates Governor Oborevwori on 62nd Birthday
Celebration

Pondi Celebrates Governor Oborevwori on 62nd Birthday

June 20, 2025
At 62: Prof. Nwugo Describes Oborevwori as a Wonder-Working Governor Ordained for This Generation
Celebration

At 62: Prof. Nwugo Describes Oborevwori as a Wonder-Working Governor Ordained for This Generation

June 19, 2025
Next Post
Nigeria records 1074 new cases of COVID-19

Nigeria records 1074 new cases of COVID-19

Leave Comment

RECENT STORIES

6th Edition of BAF Schools Debate Kicks Off with 16 Delta Schools Competing

6th Edition of BAF Schools Debate Kicks Off with 16 Delta Schools Competing

July 5, 2025
Delta North Monarchs Justify Renewed Push for Anioma State at Senate Public Hearing

Delta North Monarchs Justify Renewed Push for Anioma State at Senate Public Hearing

July 5, 2025
Justice Restored: Why Senator Natasha’s Recall Strengthens Our Republic, By Dr. Michael Tidi Esq.

Justice Restored: Why Senator Natasha’s Recall Strengthens Our Republic, By Dr. Michael Tidi Esq.

July 4, 2025
Stakeholders Demand Anioma State at Historic Public Hearing in Ikot Ekpene

Stakeholders Demand Anioma State at Historic Public Hearing in Ikot Ekpene

July 4, 2025
Legendary Nigeria Goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, Passes Away at 61

Legendary Nigeria Goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, Passes Away at 61

July 4, 2025

TRENDING STORIES

  • Tidi Rallies PDP Loyalists, Urges Grassroots Reawakening Amid Defections

    Tidi Rallies PDP Loyalists, Urges Grassroots Reawakening Amid Defections

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Ughelli North Council Chairman Suspends Uwheru PG Over Heightened Security Tensions

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Delta Speaker calls for stakeholders’ commitment to advancing Nigeria as 10th Benue Assembly holds 2nd Anniversary Thanksgiving Service

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Waive pays homage to Udu monarch, pledges total allegiance

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Stakeholders Demand Anioma State at Historic Public Hearing in Ikot Ekpene

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

NEWSNET NIGERIA Published By: Morex Consult Limited - Since 2020.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Local News
    • National
  • Politics
  • Economy
    • Oil and Gas
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • MORE
    • Interview
    • Editorial
    • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Science & Tech
    • Videos

NEWSNET NIGERIA Published By: Morex Consult Limited - Since 2020.