Is the end of the year a sad time?

Asian girl feeling lonely looking out at winter landscape

For many people, the end of the year and its holidays are a joyful time filled with happy celebrations, gatherings and an overall sense of warmth and contentment.

But for others, it can be a time of sadness, anxiety, loneliness, pain and depression, often called the holiday blues or holiday depression. When those feelings last longer and are more intense, there’s a chance it could be SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder.



Whether it’s SAD or the holiday blues, there are some easy, common steps you can take to feel better.

  1. Create a schedule with regular eating and sleeping times and stick to it.
  2. Move your body on the daily, outdoors when you can.
  3. Manage your vitamin D levels with sunlight exposure and a healthy, vitamin-rich diet.
  4. Avoid depressants like alcohol, which negatively affect your brain chemicals.
  5. Try volunteering—it will help others and help you to feel better about yourself.
  6. Create new traditions if the holidays bring up painful memories.
  7. Remember, winter ends. Spring and longer, warmer days are coming!
  8. Use the BCBSND Wellness Online Therapy to speak to someone about what you’re feeling.

If SAD is impacting your daily function, reach out to your primary care provider to inquire about other treatment options.

Check out our website to learn more about the tools we offer. You’ll find online therapy through Learn to Live (use the code BLUEND or your employer’s custom company code). This program is offered at NO COST to those ages 13 and up enrolled in a BCBSND health plan. You will also find HealthyBlue, a digital wellness center equipped to assess your current health, offer tools to help manage conditions or to reach specific goals and much more.

Sources: National Institute of Health, Mayo Clinic, Anxiety & Depression Association of America