Holiday Blues? Workers Find Unlikely Relief in Temp Staffing

If you’ve been feeling a little down lately (and by no means are you alone!), it may be more than just the shorter days bringing your spirits low.

Holiday depression, or the “holiday blues,” is a common condition that the medical community is paying increasing attention to—and for those affected (about 55% of Americans), it starts to sink in right about now.

In this blog, we’ll break down exactly what the holiday blues is and, most importantly, what you can do to dampen its effects.

Holiday Blues Are Most Common Right Now

Each year, the holiday blues begins to settle in around the start of November and lift shortly after the new year ends.

Most people with holiday depression report symptoms like:

  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling more tired than usual
  • Loss of pleasure in doing things
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Feeling tense, worried, or anxious

While our culture expects us to receive the holiday season with joy and happiness, this period of time can also bring feelings of nostalgia, loneliness, anxiety and depression to many.

Just why this occurs, like all medical conditions, depends on a variety of circumstances, but the most common causes are:

  • Financial stress: many people struggle to afford gifts they feel obligated to give out, causing increased stress relating to financial situations
  • Lack of sleep: The holidays get busy fast, often disrupting typical sleep patterns, which in turn increases stress
  • Loneliness: many Americans are unable to spend time with their family and loved ones for a variety of reasons which, during the holidays, can become especially painful

How You Can Fight Back

Luckily, there is so much anyone suffering from the holiday blues can do to improve their situation, and the recommended treatments are easy and affordable to adopt.

Top solutions from medical professionals include:

  • Exercising regularly: like with so many other conditions, exercise has proven to work wonders for treating holiday depression. If it’s not feasible to join a local gym, even casual activities like going on walks every day can be highly beneficial.
  • Making time for self-care: because the holidays can take up so much of your time while you tend to and focus on others, it’s more important than ever to carve out time in the day to do things that help you relax and recharge.
  • Avoid isolation: because sadness is a major symptom of holiday blues, many people tend to recede within themselves and withdraw from their social connections. While it may be difficult to get yourself out there (especially if you’re already feeling down), medical professionals highly recommend ensuring you get time to interact with others, even if it means joining a local club, volunteering, or seeing a counselor.

An Unlikely Solution to the Holiday Blues: Contract Staffing

An out-of-the-box solution that just happens to tick many of the boxes listed above is one that you may haven’t thought of yet.

Contract staffing (especially if you find yourself out of work right now) can be an excellent remedy to many of the symptoms of holiday depression, all while you line your wallet with extra cash. Because the hiring process is much faster than a permanent position, you have a short track to filling your days with meaningful work (which helps with holiday-related financial stress) and staving off feelings of isolation by joining a team.

*If you’re struggling with holiday depression, we sincerely hope you can navigate the coming months in a way that is healthiest for you. You can contact the SAMSHA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

 

Join a Team and Make More $$$ With RHM This Holiday Season

Yes, we know it may seem a little unconventional, but taking on a new job can work wonders to jolt your headspace out of a rut if you’re in one this holiday season. At RHM, we make it our mission to connect great people like you with great opportunities. We have hundreds of opportunities in a variety of fields, and our specialized recruiters work closely with you to find just the right fit for your needs and goals. Contact us to get started today—changing your situation can be faster and easier than you might think!