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Ever have a tingly feeling that something is going to happen…and then it does? Or maybe you’ve dreamt about a future event that ends up coming true. Premonitions, which describe the ability to predict a future event, are actually a fairly common human experience.

We are wired to want to be able to know what’s going to happen, and sometimes our subconscious picks up on cues that something is likely to occur. We’re not always right, of course, but when our spidey senses pick up on something that ends up actually occurring, we might think we’ve predicted the future.

The fact is, while it might feel like premonitions are real, there isn’t evidence that it’s possible to correctly predict the future based on intuition alone. Sometimes our premonitions come true, but as the saying goes, “even a broken clock is right twice a day.”

Still, the exploration of why premonitions happen in our psyches, what they feel like, and how to cope with them, is a fascinating subject—one which we’ll tackle here, with experts to guide the way.

Understanding Premonition

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), a premonition—usually referred to as “precognition” in psychological settings—is the ability of a person to predict or perceive that they’ve predicted a future event.

The concept of premonition as it relates to mental health is a fascinating topic. Researchers have noted that the ability to predict the future is an essential part of being human, and has protective and adaptive purposes.

But what about when we are able to predict future events not based on anything picked up with our five senses? The idea is that our subconscious likely picks up on imperceptible clues that give us hints, says Brittany Astrom, LMFT, clinical supervisor at OC Revive.

“In the field of mental health, premonitions are often viewed as indications that the mind can pick up on and process subtle cues which are not readily apparent to conscious awareness. Such inklings may range from vague suspicions or intuitions to concrete dreams that seem to foretell what is going to happen,” she explains.

Natalie Rosado, LMHC, licensed mental health counselor and founder and owner of Tampa Counseling Place, agrees with this take. “In the context of mental health and psychology, premonitions are often linked to a person’s subconscious processing of information, where the brain is picking up on subtle cues we don’t immediately register consciously,” she says. “This can lead to a sense of ‘knowing’ something is going to happen without understanding how or why.”

Different Types of Premonitions

Premonitions come into our consciousness in various ways, and each of us experience them in different ways. Here are some of the most common types of premonitions, according to Rosado:

• Dream premonitions, which happen while we sleep and involve dreaming about a future event that later happens
• Emotional premonitions, which involve powerful emotions that feel like predictions of future events
• Visual premonitions, which are when we experience vivid mental images that seem to predict the future
  Auditory premonitions, which is when we hear sounds or voices that seem to be providing us with information about the future
• Physical sensations, which are when we experience physical symptoms, like a chill or a feeling of unease

Signs You May Be Experiencing a Premonition

The way that premonitions are experienced can vary considerably from one person to another, says Astrom. Some folks feel worried, especially if their premonitions are negative. Others may feel excited—for example, if their premonition was positive and it came true. “How one responds emotionally largely depends on his own context and what kind of premonition it is,” Astrom explains.

But it’s not just an emotional response that will happen when you have a premonition. May people experience a myriad of sensations, emotions, and behaviors. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of premonitions, according to Rosado:

• Anxious, uneasy feelings, most commonly when the premonition is linked to a negative event
• Vivid or intense sensations coupled with a strong conviction that something is going to happen
• Physical sensations, like racing heartbeat, chills, feeling of heaviness
• Calm certainty or a clear sense of knowing
• Strong emotional impacts that cause individuals to change their plans or take precautions based on the feelings of premonition

Causes and Triggers of a Premonition

The truth is, although the phenomenon has been studied, no one knows for sure what causes premonitions from a psychological perspective. However, there are some theories, the most prominent of which is that our unconscious thoughts are at play here—i.e., that our past experiences and feelings about future events may subconsciously be influencing our feelings and cause us to feel a sense of premonition about the future.

“This happens more during periods of stress or significant change when vigilance is higher up there in the head,” she says.

Some researchers have hypothesized that premonitions are actually a way for us to try to cope with serious stressors. After all, knowing what’s going to happen in the future means you have some control over what is going to happen, which can calm down some of the out-of-control feelings that people feel when they’re stressed.

Coping With Powerful or Frequent Premonitions

Experiencing premonitions, especially powerful or frequent ones, can be emotionally taxing, and you may be finding it difficult to cope. Rosado shared some methods for managing premonitions:

• Incorporate mindfulness and relaxation techniques into your day; these may include deep breathing exercises, progressive relaxation, meditation, and journaling
• Cognitive restructuring, which involves challenging and reframing negative thoughts
• Practice acceptance, which may look like accepting that sometimes premonitions are part of your mental and emotional landscape
• Limit exposure to premonition stimulants, such as stressors or certain environments
• Consider therapy—cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be particularly effective in managing anxious or intrusive thoughts like premonitions
• Focus on hobbies, social relationships, and self-care modalities that bring you joy and may help shift focus off premonitions

Harnessing Premonitions for Personal Growth

Although experiencing frequent premonitions may feel unpleasant, in particular when they are linked to anxious feelings, being someone who has premonitions isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Experiencing premonitions frequently can be a useful tool in self-growth, says Astrom. “They act like triggers that make us reflect on ourselves, thus making us self-conscious so we get more familiar with our deep thoughts and feelings,” she describes. “Reflecting on these things will enable one to develop good decision-making skills by enhancing their intuition.”

Rosado suggests that you can spin your experiences of premonitions in a more positive light, thinking of them as clues to your inner life and thoughts, as well as vehicles toward understanding yourself better.

“Additionally, let premonitions inspire creativity and innovation in problem-solving and creative endeavors,” Rosado says.

She encourages people to reflect on their experiences with premonitions through journaling, practicing mindfulness, and sharing your experiences with others. “Regular reflection, balancing rationality and intuition, seeking support, and educating yourself about the psychology of premonitions are practical steps to effectively harness their power for personal growth,” Rosado offers.

Debunking Misconceptions About Premonition

There are a couple myths and misconceptions about premonitions that it’s worth exploring.

First, as much as we would like to believe premonitions have a role in predicting the future, or that they do so in some spiritual, supernatural, or mythical manner, this isn’t true. “In most cases, they’re simply products of our highly complex information processing system in the brain,” Astrom describes.

And what about when our premonitions come true? There are many factors that may cause a premonition to become reality, and none have to do with something otherworldly. It’s usually because our premonition was based on good evidence, or that something happened by chance. “In reality, many premonitions do not come true, and those that do may be coincidental or based on subtle subconscious cues,” Rosado notes.

Another important misconception to clear up is that premonitions only happen to people with mental health disorders. This isn’t true. “Experiencing premonitions does not necessarily indicate a mental health disorder,” says Rosado. “While frequent or distressing premonitions can be associated with anxiety or other conditions, they can also occur in mentally healthy individuals.”

That said, if your premonitions are causing you a great deal of anxiety, or if they are coupled with hallucinations, such as seeing things or hearing voices, you should get in touch with a mental health provider as soon as possible.

The Bottom Line

Most of us have had premonitions at some point or another—and sometimes these premonitions even come true. From a mental health perspective, premonitions are basically our subconscious mind influencing our thoughts and feelings about future events. Premonitions aren’t facts—they are simply intuitions and inklings that we may have.

Although premonitions can be disturbing at times, it’s possible to harness them for good—to gain greater self-understanding and experience growth. “Premonitions are like little whispers from our subconscious,” Rosado concludes. “They guide us to dig deeper into our intuition and really embrace the journey of getting to know ourselves better.”

Thinking refers to our ability to make decisions, solve problems, reason, and remember. In a broader sense, thinking is the totality of experiences in one’s mind.

People with schizophrenia have trouble keeping their thoughts straight and expressing them. Disorganized thinking is one of the primary symptoms of schizophrenia.

Disorganized thinking can lead to various thought process disorders that cause tangential thought, disjointed thoughts, a collapse or sudden stop in the thought process, randomly spoken words, and incoherence.

Typically, we process our thoughts logically and coherently. However, this process is disrupted in those with schizophrenia, leading to disorganized thought and disordered speech.

Causes of Disorganized Thinking

The causes of disorganized thinking (or schizophrenia) are unclear. It may be related to a factors such as genetics and family history, environment, and trauma. Some people with disorganized thinking have structural differences in their brains, as evidenced by unusual activation in regions involved in:

• Language and speech processing
• Auditory perception
• Social interaction
• Higher-order cognitive functions like decision-making, evaluating, brainstorming, and learning

Thought Content vs. Thought Process

It makes sense to try to understand disorganized thinking from two perspectives: thought content and thought process. While changes in someone’s thought content affect what they perceive or think about, changes in thought process impact the way they form their ideas and express them.

Types of Disorganized Thinking

Here’s a more in-depth look at those thought process abnormalities.

Distractibility

Some people with disordered thinking experience distractibility. They may begin talking about one thing and then completely shift topics before completing their sentence. This is often due to nearby stimuli that interfere with the thought process.

• For example: “I moved to New York after college. What are you eating for lunch?”

Circumstantial Thinking

Circumstantial thinking occurs when a person talks in circles, providing excessive and unnecessary detail before getting to the point.

Tangential Thinking

Tangential thinking occurs when someone moves from thought to thought but never seems to get to the main point. Instead, the thoughts are somewhat connected but in a superficial or tangential way.

• For example: “I really got mad as I was waiting in line at the grocery store. I cannot stand lines. Waiting and waiting. I waited for a long time to get my driver’s license. Driving these days is just crazy.”

Derailment or Loose Associations

In cases of severely disordered thinking, thoughts lose almost all connections with one another and become disconnected and disjointed. This illogical thinking is called derailment or “loose” associations.

• For example: “I really enjoyed some communities and tried it, and the next day when I’d be going out you know, um I took control like uh, I put, um, bleach on my hair in, in California. My roommate was from Chicago and she was going to the junior college. And we lived in the YMCA so she wanted to put it, um, peroxide on my hair…”

Clang Associations

Clanging is when the individual chooses words based on sound (rhyming or pun associations) rather than meaning. They may also use made-up words or neologisms and may speak in a flat- or unusual-sounding voice.

• For example: “I had a little goldfish too, like a clown. …Happy Halloween down.”

Incoherence

People with very severe disordered thinking may experience incoherence, where there are no discernible connections between words. This incoherence (also known as “word salad”) makes it impossible to understand the individual’s thought process.

• For example: “They’re destroying too many cattle and oil just to make soap. If we need soap when you can jump into a pool of water, and then when you go to buy your gasoline, my folks always thought they should, get pop but the best thing to get, is motor oil, and, money…”

Diagnosis

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders includes criteria to help your doctor diagnose schizophrenia. Your doctor will look for typical symptoms of the condition, like disordered speech, delusions, hallucinations, disorganized or catatonic behavior, and reduced emotional expression.

Your doctor will also need to rule out other conditions that can affect thought processes, like:

Treatment for Disorganized Thinking

Treatment for thought process abnormalities in schizophrenia often includes medication, psychotherapy, life skills training, and family support.

Medication

The right medication can help to reduce disordered thinking and improve functioning. This may include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or anti-anxiety medication alongside antipsychotics for long term management of the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help you better identify thought process abnormalities and find ways to cope with unusual or dysfunctional ways of thinking.

Social Skills Training

An inability to clearly communicate your thoughts and feelings can take a toll on your family, social life, and work relationships. Social skills training can help you improve communication with others to better navigate these relationships.

Family Support

Family members are often crucial providers of care for someone with schizophrenia. Family therapy may help ensure that you and your loved ones understand your condition and feel supported.

A social worker is a mental health professional who works to improve the lives of vulnerable populations. They work with individuals and communities to overcome challenges and effect social change.

Social work is an exciting career area that is highly related to psychology. Are you looking for a career that is rewarding yet challenging? Do you want to contribute to society by helping people overcome difficulties and improve their lives? Social work fits this description, which is why many psychology undergraduates opt to pursue it.

While many individuals who work in this field start by earning an undergraduate degree in social work before moving on to graduate school, some psychology majors opt to switch to a social work master’s program after earning their degrees.

What Is a Social Worker?

So what exactly is a social worker? These mental health professionals help people with a broad range of issues, including psychological, financial, health, relationship, and substance abuse problems. Learn more about what social workers do, the educational requirements, and the projected job outlook for the field.

What Does a Social Worker Do?

The field of social work utilizes social theories to understand human problems, to help improve people’s lives, and to improve society as a whole.

Social workers:

• Act as advocates for their clients
• Promote social welfare
• Educate clients and teach them new skills
• Link clients to essential resources within the community
• Protect vulnerable clients and ensure that their best interests are observed
• Counsel clients who need support and assistance
• Research social problems to look for remedies
• Advocate for social justice

Many who work in this field specialize in particular areas, such as helping children, assisting those with life-threatening problems, or aiding people in overcoming addictions.

Where Are Social Workers Employed?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about half of all social workers are employed as child, family, and school social workers, a trend projected to continue through 2032.

Areas where social workers often work include:

• Individual and family services: 17%
• Ambulatory healthcare services: 14%
• Local government, excluding education and hospitals: 14%
• State government, excluding education and hospitals: 13%
• Hospitals; state, local, and private: 10%

Professionals in government positions might conduct child welfare assessments, help individuals in need of public assistance, and work with people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system.

Salary Information

Salaries can vary based on various factors, including geographic location, educational background, and specialty area.

According to the National Association of Social Workers, those just starting out in their career with an undergraduate degree in social work earn a mean income of $31,327 per year. Those with a Master’s degree typically average a mean income of $44,418.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports the following median yearly earnings for different specialty areas in social work:

• Child, family, and school social workers: $50,820
• Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $51,240
• Healthcare social workers: $60,280

How to Become a Social Worker

In order to become a social worker, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is the minimum requirement. However, some individuals with psychology, sociology, and education degrees are able to find entry-level jobs in social work.

If you are interested in providing therapy services, then a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is required. Are you interested in teaching at the university level or conducting research? Then you will need to earn a doctorate degree in social work (DSW).

Social Worker Specialty Areas

Social workers often opt to specialize in a specific area. Some of these include:

Medical and Public Health Social Workers

Those specializing in medical or public health social work offer psychosocial services to individuals, families, and groups affected by acute, chronic, and terminal illnesses. These services might involve:

• Providing psychological counseling
• Connecting clients with resources in the community
• Helping families who are caring for a sick loved one

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Child, family, and school social workers work with children and families. Some work in school settings to help children with academic, social, and emotional issues. Others may work with foster children, help arrange adoptions, and assist single parents.

Some specific tasks they may perform include:

• Helping families access housing
• Connecting families with services such as childcare, benefits, or food stamps
• Intervening when children are experiencing abuse or neglect
• Assisting with arranging foster care or adoptions

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Mental health and substance abuse social workers assess and treat individuals suffering from mental health problems or addiction and substance abuse issues. Social workers in this specialty area may provide:

Job Outlook for Social Workers

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that social work careers will grow 7% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. While employment opportunities in urban areas are predicted to be more competitive, the Department of Labor suggests that job demand will also be good in rural locations.

Comforting a friend who has lost someone to suicide can be difficult. You might not know what to say or do, how they’re feeling, or how to be with them in their process. Rather than avoiding the person, it’s crucial to remain connected and communicative. Here’s how.

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Common Reactions to a Loved One’s Suicide

According to Marianne Goodman, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and director of the JJPVA Suicide Prevention Clinical and Research Program, your loved one is likely to experience:

• Denial. Initial reactions often include surprise, shock, and disbelief. The person may feel numb and be in denial about the person’s death. They may walk into a room and expect to see their loved one or keep forgetting that they’re gone. The person may appear distraught, distracted, or forgetful. They may withdraw and not speak or might repeat themselves.
• Anger. Once the reality sets in, feelings of intense pain, frustration, and helplessness follow, often leading to anger and a sense of betrayal. The anger can take many forms, sometimes even at the person for leaving them or not reaching out for help. The person may also feel angry at others, a higher being, or life in general. This rage may manifest as aggression, violence, irritability, impatience, and withdrawal from friends, family, or faith.
• Bargaining. During the bargaining stage, the person may repeatedly think about what they could have done to prevent the death. They may wish to go back in time and prevent the suicide somehow. Common thoughts are “If only…” and “What if…”
• Guilt. If the person believes they could have done something to prevent the death or that they are to blame somehow, they may experience feelings of guilt and shame that could become overwhelming.
• Questioning. The person may have questions about why their loved one’s suicide occurred. They may even question the meaning of life and their beliefs and values. If an explanation isn’t forthcoming or easily acceptable, they may make up false stories about what happened. 
• Depression. As the person begins to understand the effects of the person’s death, profound sadness can occur—often in the form of sleep problems, decreased energy and motivation, loss of appetite, and an inability to concentrate. Some people also feel overwhelmed, lonely, hopeless, and unable to function.
• Acceptance. Most people come to accept the reality of a loved one’s death, but some find the pain too unbearable. Grief counseling can help.

Remember that everyone experiences grief differently. Some people jump right into depression after the initial shock. Others mask their grief to the point of seeming unaffected.

Signs and Symptoms That May Warrant Help

According to Goodman, a loved one’s suicide can also trigger these symptoms and conditions in survivors:

• Haunting thoughts or memories of this death and perhaps others they’ve dealt with
• Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) such as nightmares, flashbacks, and intrusive thoughts of death
• Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or complicated grief
• Misuse of substances such as drugs and alcohol to numb the pain
• Suicidal feelings and thoughts of their own death
• Dangerous or reckless actions, such as driving too fast, because they feel numb, intensely angry, or hopeless

If you notice any of these, encourage your friend to seek professional help.

How to Offer Your Support

These are some ways to support a loved one who has lost someone to suicide.

• Reach out: Your friend might find it hard to take the first step and make contact with you. If you have heard about their loved one’s suicide, reach out to them as soon as you can. Understand that sometimes people may not respond because they need space to grieve their loss or don’t have the energy for connection. Continue to reach out, even just to let your friend know you are thinking of them. This helps a grieving person feel less alone.
• Acknowledge the circumstances: According to Goodman, it’s important to acknowledge the reality of their loved one’s death. For instance, you can say “I heard that ____ died by suicide.” Suicide is often shrouded by stigma, but by bringing it up, you can show that you’re willing to discuss the death and support the person fully.
• Express your support: Let them know you’re there for them and they can count on you. Offer tangible forms of support, such as meal prep and babysitting. Sometimes, people who are grieving don’t know how or when to ask for help, so do these things without them asking.
• Share your memories: Many grieving people like talking about their loved ones, even after years have passed; this helps them keep the memories alive. If you knew the person who died of suicide, share your memories with your friend. Remembering together can be helpful.
• Be willing to listen: Ask your friend how they’re feeling and encourage them to share their thoughts. Create a safe place for them to share their fears, anxieties, and uncomfortable thoughts, says Goodman. Continue asking even after time has passed. A lot of people who go through grief feel they cannot talk about their pain after some time because they don’t want to burden others. Let your friend know you’ll listen no matter how many years have passed.
• Be genuine: Tell them that you can’t imagine what they’re going through, but that you’re also grieving the loss, worried about them, and available to help. They’ll appreciate your honesty.
• Spend time with them: Perhaps the most important thing is to be available and help them feel less alone, says Hilary Blumberg, MD, director of the Mood Disorders Research Program at the Yale School of Medicine. You don’t have to make them smile or laugh. It can simply be enough to be with them and do everyday things together like going for a walk, having dinner, or simply watching television.
• Don’t minimize the loss: Everyone processes grief differently. Being patient with your friend’s process is one of the most helpful things you can do. Don’t try to minimize their pain by comparing their situation to that of others, claiming to know what they’re feeling, or offering overly simplistic solutions to their problems.
• Encourage them to seek help: If your friend’s thoughts become too distressing and they are unable to cope, encourage them to see a grief counselor. On the other hand, if their actions seem risky or they express suicidal thoughts, calla crisis helpline.

For some people, the winter holidays can be a painful period of reflection, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. This pervasive sadness is known informally as holiday blues or holiday depression.

Who Gets the Holiday Blues?

Anyone—even those who love the season—can experience the holiday blues. The season’s demands, gatherings, decorations, and other stressors leave many people stressed and exhausted. Add to this the sometimes emotional aspect of special days, and it’s a recipe for the doldrums.

People with a prior mental health condition may be particularly prone to holiday depression. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 64% of people with an existing mental illness report that the holidays make their condition worse.

Signs & Symptoms

The most common symptom of holiday depression is a persistent or recurring feeling of sadness that begins during the holiday season. It can vary in intensity and duration. Some people might feel down periodically but experience brief periods of relief. 

Signs of holiday depression include:

• Changes in appetite or weight
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Depressed or irritable mood
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Feeling tense, worried, or anxious
• Loss of pleasure in doing things you used to enjoy

Holiday Depression vs. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Holiday depression and SAD can be difficult to distinguish from one another, but the duration and severity of symptoms are usually the best clues.

If the holiday season passes and you’re still feeling depressed or anxious, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional to determine if what you are experiencing is a more significant mood disorder.

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Diagnosing the Holiday Blues

Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) doesn’t formally recognize the holiday blues as a psychiatric condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms. During your appointment, they will ask questions about your symptoms, including the duration and severity. 

Causes of the Holiday Blues

People might experience holiday depression for many reasons, such as:

• Lack of sleep. A hectic holiday schedule can lead to a lack of sleep, which increases stress.
• Excess eating and alcohol use. People sometimes turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to handle holiday sadness and stress. Excessive drinking and overeating can make the symptoms of holiday depression even more pronounced.
• Financial stress. Overextending yourself financially or struggling to afford gifts for family and friends can create an added burden of financial stress.
• Isolation and loneliness. Being unable to spend the holidays with your family and friends can make the holiday season seem especially lonely.
• Unrealistic expectations. The commercialization of the holidays can create the expectation of nonstop joy and holiday cheer, which can lead to holiday stress and sadness.

Because the holidays mark an impending new year, people tend to reflect on the past year. They might feel regret, failure, or other negative emotions.

Treatment for the Holiday Blues

Unless your healthcare provider has diagnosed you with major depression or another condition, they probably won’t prescribe medications to treat your holiday depression symptoms. In many cases, holiday depression can be managed with lifestyle changes and social support. Your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional for psychotherapy.

Coping With the Holiday Blues

In addition to talking to your healthcare provider, try these strategies to deal with the holidays.

Drink Only in Moderation

Alcohol is a depressant, and drinking too much can exacerbate negative feelings. You don’t need to go cold turkey. Instead, limit your consumption and don’t use alcohol to deal with or avoid difficult emotions. If you choose to drink, limit yourself to one or two alcoholic drinks at social functions.

Don’t Isolate Yourself

Social isolation can be a major risk factor for depression—and depression typically makes social interaction difficult. Particularly if you’re on your own, reaching out and finding social support can be all the more difficult.

Look for ways to enjoy social connections, even if you can’t go home for the holidays. If you’re feeling lonely, ask a friend to come over for a heart-to-heart. Join a local club, volunteer for something you believe in, or see a counselor for support.

Exercise Regularly

Regular physical activity can play an important role in preventing and reducing symptoms of depression.  So, although hitting the gym can be tough when you feel stressed, busy, and sad, remember that you don’t need to glue yourself to the treadmill or weight machine to feel the benefits. Even a casual activity such as a short walk each day might be enough to keep the holiday blues at bay.

Learn to Say ‘No’

The holidays often mean more people asking for help and making demands on your time and resources. Holiday invites can turn into stressful social obligations. Small favors can morph into huge projects that you didn’t anticipate. Avoid overcommitting by knowing your limits and learning how to say “no.”

Find Time for Yourself

Make sure that you leave enough time for yourself to relax. Even 15 to 20 minutes a day to enjoy some quiet time, read a book, listen to music, take a bath, do yoga, or some other relaxing activity can do wonders for your stress levels.

Set Realistic Expectations

It’s fine to be excited about the holidays and make plans for the things you want to do. But it is also important to keep your expectations realistic and reachable.

Holidays change just as people change. Kids grow older, people move, and new people will become a part of your life. The key is to focus on those connections, create new traditions, and remember past holidays with fondness while still enjoying the one right in front of you. Focus on enjoying the experience and the time you get to spend with your loved ones rather than on achieving a picture-perfect end result.

How to Get Help

If the holiday blues don’t lift after the holidays or if they’ve begun interfering with your well-being and ability to function, talk to your doctor or mental health professional. They will help diagnose your signs and symptoms and discuss treatment options, including psychotherapy and medications.