By now, if you look around, you will see everywhere the Christmas decorations are up. Whether it is the Christmas tree itself, or the lights, or fake snowflakes, your surrounding is all light up! But does it make you nervous, anxious or even depressed? It could be the Christmas Blues. And yes, it exists!

Festive depression is when people who find the festive period difficult to deal with. However, a trust by National Health Service (NHS) UK is reminding them that it is okay to seek help for mental health.

Dr Emma Tiffin, a local GP and mental health clinical lead for NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough said. "Whether you are...struggling financially or facing difficult memories, lots of us struggle with our mental health at this time of year and can feel more lonely than usual. It is important to remember you are not alone. It is OK to not be OK and there's a wife range of services available."

The services NHS trust providing are online advice, phone and text helplines, specialist bereavement sites or crisis mental health support. Dr Tiffin has also urged "people to look out for others".

Dr Tiffin says that a phone call or a visit can make all the difference to someone's wellbeing this Christmas. Support for mental health issues includes services which are also geared towards younger and older people alike, and is available on NHS 111's crisis line.

Why do some people feel depressed on Christmas?

If you know anything about Christmas, you may also know about Grinch, who stole Christmas. He was an orphan who longed for a family and parents who would actually care about him. This is why when he sees Christmas, a children's holiday that is inclusive of family fun and love, while he has neither, he becomes sad. He also is annoyed by noisy Christmas festivities and extravagant decorations, but deep down, this holiday reminds him of his childhood void of love and security.

To many who feel depressed around Christmas might relate to Grinch. It may not be the same reason, but there could be memories associated with festivities which are sour. This is what we call Christmas Blues!

What Causes Christmas Blues?

Psychologist Ashi Tomar notes few causes that may lead to Christmas Blues:

• The idealized image of a perfect Christmas sometimes creates unrealistic expectations for those who do not have the similar circumstances as they see elsewhere. There obviously comes a comparison with lives of others.

• There are extra activities, organizing feasts and dinner, which sometimes can leave one feeling overwhelmed and unloved.

• People who are away from their family can also feel lonely or sad.

• It also prompts reflection on the past years, which can also be frustrating for many, especially if the goals are not met.

Tomar also highlight that when an individual is unable to meet basic financial demands during holidays, it may lead to feelings of insecurity, increased anxiety, and symptoms of depression. "Since human beings are wired for connection, isolation around this time increases feelings of sadness and loneliness impacting emotional well-being. When there are unrealistic demands in terms of the holiday season, where there is a gap between ideal expectations and one’s actual life, it may lead to feelings of failure, inadequacy, or worthlessness."

What is Seasonal affective Disorder?

This is also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). When people change their behavior in accordance with certain seasons, they experience SAD. It is also during Christmas when the sun is not as bright as it is in summers and behavior changes, becomes more negative when there is less sunlight.

ALSO READ: Monsoon Brings Mental Health Challenges, Says Expert. Know How to Combat It

Most people find themselves sleeping or eating more than necessary during winters. Light is thought to influence SAD, because it affects the natural biological clock that regulates hormones, sleep, and moods. When sunlight exposure decreases in winters, individuals affected by SAD have difficulty regulating their biological clock.

As per a 2016 study published in the Oxford University Press titled Seasonal difference in Brain Serotonin transporter binding predicts symptom severity in patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder, states that SAD appears in people whose brains maintain high levels of serotonin transporters, leading to lower levels of serotonin.

Tomar says that it is important to seek a diagnosis from a mental health professional and to be diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (Depression), given that the symptoms should have been present for at least 2 weeks.

Symptoms include:

• Persistent sadness and feelings of irritability and discontentment most of the day throughout the day.
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness.
• Excessive inappropriate feelings of guilt
• Neglecting self-care and engaging in binge eating, excessive alcohol consumption, and reliance on substances.
• Isolating and withdrawing from others.
• Changes in sleep patterns and appetite.
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities and decrease in motivation and productivity.
• Significant weight loss or weight gain without trying.
• Increased levels of fatigue and decrease in concentration and decisiveness.
• Recurrent thoughts of dying or suicidal ideations.

ALSO READ: Seasonal Depression Is Real: Expert Tells What Are The Best Ways To Deal With It

How can you cope up?

While there exists antidepressants, and light therapy, as well as vitamin D supplements to treat SAD. Tomar suggests, letting go of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations regarding the holiday season. "Rather focusing on small, meaningful ways to enjoy and celebrate," she says.

Other ways to cope could be:

• Practicing gratitude journaling to focus on the positive aspects and experiences rather than fixating on negative cognitions.
• Setting up meet-ups or virtual calls with loved ones to enhance social connections may help meet the need for belongingness and a sense of comfort and safe space.
• Engaging in self-care practices like maintaining regular exercise, sleep, and fulfilling dietary needs. These can help stabilize mood.
• Focusing on the non-material aspects of enjoying the festival and carefully budgeting and planning expenses to avoid financial distress.
• Break holiday tasks into small manageable activities and delegate and seek help as necessary.
• Prioritize hobbies and interests.

Ashi Tomar is a senior psychologist with Veda Rehabilitation and Wellness.

While scratching the itch may be satisfying, it can also be a double-edged sword. You may feel a little better, but it can also lead to skin infections and pain. There are also certain conditions that may cause drier patches and itchy skin like Atopic Dermatitis. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorder explains that Atopic dermatitis, often called eczema, is a common, long-lasting skin problem. It makes your skin dry, itchy, and sometimes cracked or leaky.

When one has Atopic Dermatitis, they feel constant itchiness and irritation, causing them discomfort and lowering their quality of life. This condition happens when your body's defense system overreacts, causing redness and inflammation. The strong urge to scratch can lead to more problems, like open sores and infections, making the itch even worse.

This constant discomfort can disrupt your daily life, affecting sleep, social activities, and your ability to focus. It's important to find ways to manage this itch to improve your overall well-being.

How Can You Stop This?

Doctors strongly advise against any kind of scratching the dry skin, even touching it continuously causes the skin irritation and increases the chances of some infection. So how does one avoid the overwhelming urge to scratch? Here are some ways you can do so.

Moisturizing for Skin Barrier Support

Dry skin makes itching worse. Atopic dermatitis damages your skin's ability to hold moisture. Using thick creams or ointments twice daily, especially after baths, helps fix this. Choose products without perfumes. Regular moisturizing lessens flare-ups.

Cold Compresses for Immediate Relief

Putting a cold, wet cloth on itchy spots can calm the burning and itching fast. Wet a towel with cold water, squeeze it, and place it on the irritated area. After using the cold compress, apply moisturizer to keep skin hydrated. This a home remedy suggested by the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Topical Anesthetics for Numbing Sensation

Applying numbing creams or gels daily can reduce the feeling of itch. You can get these creams over the counter or with a doctor's prescription. These medicines help manage itching and other eczema symptoms, making you more comfortable.

Habit Reversal Techniques for Behavioral Modification

A 2024 study published in the Cureus showed that this therapy helps break the cycle of itching and scratching. You'll learn ways to distract yourself from the itch and practice being more aware of your habits. When used with other treatments, this can greatly reduce how much you scratch.

Stress Management for Symptom Control

Stress can make eczema worse. Getting enough sleep, trying meditation, doing relaxing activities, and limiting news or social media can lower stress. This helps control eczema symptoms. Aim for seven hours of sleep and find relaxing hobbies.

Phototherapy for Nerve Ending Modulation

This treatment uses special light to target the nerves that cause itching. A 2021 study published in the Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology found that many people find their itch gets better after several weeks of this light therapy. The light helps calm the nerves, reducing the urge to scratch and improving skin comfort.

Laundry Product Adjustments for Skin Sensitivity

Using laundry products made for sensitive skin can stop irritation. Avoid scented fabric softeners and dryer sheets. Cut tags off clothes and wash new clothes before wearing them. This helps prevent chemicals from triggering eczema flare-ups.

Topical Oatmeal for Soothing Properties

Putting oatmeal on your skin can ease itching, remove dead skin, and reduce dryness. The National Eczema Association says one must use moisturizers with oatmeal or add oatmeal to your bath. You can also make a paste and apply it directly to itchy areas to soothe and protect your skin.

Have you ever experienced a momentary loss in strength when you laugh? Many people also express their lack of motor control for a few moments after laughing or experiencing extreme emotions. Scientists now have some answers as to why this happens. It turns out that laughter can trigger a reflex in your body that weakens your muscles, almost to the point of collapse. This isn't just a feeling; it's something that can be measured using electrical signals to see how your muscles react.

Laughter Can Make You Weak!

Researchers in the Netherlands, whose findings were published in the medical journal The Lancet, 1999 made this discovery while studying a condition called cataplexy. Cataplexy causes people to suddenly lose muscle control and collapse during strong emotions, especially laughter. They were comparing people with cataplexy to a control group without the condition. While studying the muscle reactions of the control group during different emotions, they unexpectedly found that laughter caused a significant weakening of muscles.

Testing the Laughter Effect

The researchers used electrodes to measure the H-reflex, which is a way to see how muscles contract. They showed the control group, which included fellow researchers and medical students, various slides to evoke different emotions. Instead of being nervous, the participants were relaxed and joking around. That's when they noticed something interesting, when the participants laughed, their H-reflex almost disappeared.

To confirm their findings, they conducted another experiment, this time intentionally trying to make people laugh. Sebastiaan Overeem, a medical student known for his humor, was tasked with getting the new group of subjects to laugh. He used jokes, including ones about Belgians, which were particularly effective. Every time a subject laughed, their H-reflex significantly weakened, proving that laughter does indeed cause a measurable muscle weakness.

How Does Cataplexy Affect Us?

The Cleveland Clinic explains that it happens while you're awake, and it's a common sign of a sleep problem called narcolepsy. Narcolepsy makes you feel so sleepy during the day that you can't stop yourself from falling asleep, even when you don't want to. Sometimes, cataplexy can also be caused by very rare problems you get from your parents.

When you have a cataplexy attack, your muscles can get a little weak or very weak. Sometimes, only a few muscles get weak, like the ones in your face, making your jaw drop or your head nod. However, sometimes, all your muscles get weak, and you might fall down. The important thing is, you stay awake and know what's happening during the attack. This is different from fainting or having a seizure, where you lose consciousness.

Cataplexy attacks usually only last for a few seconds or minutes, and then your muscles go back to normal on their own. How often they happen is different for everyone. Some people have many attacks every day, while others only have a few attacks each year.

Even when there are subtle changes in our body, we are able to notice quickly. Symptoms like puffy eyes are very apparent, many people experience them after crying or having an allergic reaction. However, could they be a sign of something else?

One unexpected infection that can cause puffy eyes is sinus infection. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that sinus infection is when one's nasal cavity gets inflamed, which causes fluid to build up. Symptoms of an infected sinus are runny nose, facial pain or pressure. Mayo Clinic explains that another sign of it can be puffy eyes.

These sinuses are right below your eyes, the swelling can also make your eyes look puffy, which adds to the overall feeling of being unwell. It's important to recognize these symptoms to start treating the infection and feel better.

Managing Eye Puffiness from Sinus Infections

The puffiness around your eyes when you have a sinus infection is caused by the same swelling and pressure that affects your nose and head. To help reduce this puffiness and feel more comfortable, there are a few simple things you can try. First, drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps thin out the mucus in your sinuses, making it easier to drain.

You can also gently massage the area around your eyes to help move the fluid and reduce swelling. Another helpful trick is to apply something warm to your eyes, like warm washcloths or used tea bags. The warmth helps to increase blood flow and encourage the fluid to drain, which can significantly reduce the puffiness. Doing these things regularly can help you feel better and look less tired while your body fights off the infection.

Combating Congestion Associated with Sinus Infections

One of the most annoying things about a sinus infection is feeling all stuffed up. The same swelling that makes your eyes puffy also makes your nose sore and inflamed. This congestion can make it really hard to breathe through your nose, which can be very uncomfortable. You can also get congested from allergies, a cold, or the flu, but with a sinus infection, the congestion is often worse and lasts longer. The mucus can build up in your nose, making it feel like it's completely blocked. This makes it hard to sleep, eat, and even talk. Dealing with this congestion is a key part of getting better from a sinus infection.

Remedies for Sinus Congestion

When you're really congested from a sinus infection, you might reach for over-the-counter nasal sprays or decongestants. These can help you breathe easier for a short time, but it's important not to use them too much. If you use them too often, your nose can get used to them, and they won't work as well. It's better to try home remedies first.

Drinking plenty of water and using warm compresses on your face can help loosen the mucus. You can also try using a humidifier in your room. Dry air can make congestion worse, while moist air can help you feel better faster. A humidifier adds moisture to the air, which helps thin the mucus and makes it easier to breathe. These simple things can make a big difference in how you feel and help you recover faster.