Managing Holiday Depression in Later Life

Most of us think of holidays as times of joy, togetherness, and relaxation. But for many seniors, the holiday season triggers feelings of loneliness, sadness, and even depression. Holidays may remind seniors of loved ones they’ve lost, the bittersweet passage of time, or their own health issues and physical limitations. This can feel like a “feelings mismatch,” where you feel like you should be feeling happy, but you feel the exact opposite.

Holiday depression in older adults is more common than you might think. Thankfully, post-holiday blues and holiday depression can be addressed by simple coping strategies and engaging in enriching activities to off-set some of the distress and intense emotions. Additionally, holiday season depression can be addressed with talk therapy, which is covered by Medicare.

Holiday depression is real, but it doesn’t have to win out in the end, and there are ways to make the holiday season more harmonious and enjoyable.

Key takeaways

• Holiday depression in the elderly is common and is usually caused by the feelings of grief and loss that come up during the holidays, sadness about the passage of time, as well as unrealistic expectations that holidays are supposed to be joyous.
• The “holiday blues” are usually temporary and fade once holidays are over, whereas clinical depression usually lasts longer and produces more severe symptoms.
• Psychotherapy is an effective way to manage depression around the holidays, and it's covered by Medicare. 

Understanding holiday depression in the context of later life

Feeling more down or distraught during the holiday season? Holiday depression syndrome is experienced by many seniors. There are no precise statistics on holiday depression specifically, but loneliness in seniors is prevalent, with about 40% of people over the age of 60 reporting feelings of loneliness, and feelings of loneliness can increase during the holidays.

Although feeling blue or depressed during or after the holiday season is common, it’s not a medical diagnosis. There are several things that contribute to “post-holiday depression” or “depression after a holiday.” 

Seasonal changes

During the holiday season, the days get shorter and there is less daylight. This often creates mood changes, which are typically experienced as sadness or feeling “down in the dumps.”

While some people experience a more severe version of this called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), many people experience milder versions of the winter blues. The difference between SAD or clinical depression and the winter blues is that it clears up on its own and is less likely to impact a person’s ability to function and feel like themselves. 

Difficult feelings triggered by holiday merriment

Additionally, the holidays themselves can bring up feelings of sadness and loneliness. It’s fairly easy to understand why holidays are triggering if you are alone or are missing important loved ones. But even when you are surrounded by joy and cheer, you can end up feeling down or depressed during the holiday season.

In fact, all the merriment of the holidays can shine a spotlight on some of the darker feelings you may be holding inside. If you are a senior, you may be dealing with grief and loss, loneliness, isolation, and physical decline. The holidays may be a reminder to you that happiness isn’t easy for you to come by, and that it is temporary. 

Holiday depression can happen throughout the year

It’s important to keep in mind, too, that holiday depression doesn’t just happen during the winter holiday months. Seniors may experience spring, autumn, and summer holiday depression, too. Any happy festivity or milestone can trigger feelings of sadness or depression.

The important thing to remember is that as difficult as holiday depression can be, it doesn’t have to be your reality, and it’s not an inevitable part of aging. There are ways to cope with holiday depression, and there are effective treatments for it. 

What triggers holiday depression in older adults?

 The holidays can be triggering for adults of any age, but for older adults in particular, there may be some specific triggers at play. Here are a few common causes. 

Grief about the passage of time

The holidays are often a way that people mark time, and reflect on the passage of time. During the holidays, people often talk about future plans and gatherings as well. All of this can be triggering for an older individual who is aware that they may not have as many holiday gatherings left with their loved ones. 

Anniversary grief

As you get older, you begin to experience heightened levels of grief and loss, as friends and family your age begin to pass away. The holiday can act as a calendar-marker, reminding you of the absence of loved ones and triggering intense feelings of grief. 

Health issues and physical limitations

Travel may not be as easy as it once was, and you may not have the physical stamina that you once did. This may mean that you can’t make it to certain holiday celebrations, or that these holiday celebrations are harder for you to endure for long periods of time. Likewise, you may not be as able to cook or participate in holiday crafts. All of this can lead to feelings of sadness and depression. 

Burden of cheer

During the holidays, there’s an expectation that you will feel happy. There may even be a certain amount of pressure to feel this way. So, when you are feeling sadness, grief, loneliness, depression during the holidays, the pressure to feel cheerful can make you even more depressed.

Although anyone can experience holiday depression, seniors who have clinical depression, seasonal affective disorder, or who frequently experience loneliness or isolation, are more likely to experience more intense symptoms during the holiday season. 

Spotting the signs in yourself or a loved one

It can be difficult to tell if you or a loved one are dealing with holiday depression. That’s because the signs can be subtle at times. Some signs of holiday depression in the later life can include:

• Feeling sad or melancholy
• Crying easily or feeling emotionally overwhelmed
• Subtle behavior signs like “fading into the background” during family gatherings
• Feeling more irritable or moody
• Physical symptoms like stomach issues, fatigue, unexplained aches and pains
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

The key distinctions between holiday depression in seniors vs. clinical depression is that holiday depression is temporary, and passes within a few weeks. It also has less severe symptoms.

Clinical depression in the elderly is serious and it’s necessary to understand the signs. Depression in seniors can look like:

• Emotional numbness
• Feeling sad or empty
• Lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty
• Feeling agitated or irritable
• Trouble falling asleep or oversleeping
• Exhaustion
• Trouble concentrating
• Changes in appetite
• Alcohol or drug misuse
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm

Sometimes depression in older adults can make it hard to focus or concentrate and may even make you more forgetful. It’s essential to distinguish between memory loss caused by depression or memory loss caused by cognitive issues like dementia. If you are unsure whether your or a loved one is experiencing a cognitive issue, you should see a healthcare provider for an exam and possible cognitive testing.

If you or your loved one is talking about self-harm or suicide, it’s vital that you address this right away. Seek emergency medical care or call/text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Proactive strategies for managing the holiday blues

You might be wondering: How to avoid holiday depression? While holiday depression can’t always be avoided, there are effective ways to cope with it, so that it impacts you to a lesser extent.

Here are some tips for how to cope with holiday depression.

Start some “micro-traditions”

It’s easy to get overwhelmed or fatigued at family gatherings. That’s why "micro-traditions" or “low-energy but high-connection activities” can be wonderful options. This might look like gathering with a small group looking at old photos or videos, telling stories, or playing games together. 

Pay attention to self-care around the holiday season

Things like exercise, getting enough sleep, and eating healthy foods are crucial for emotional wellness and are easy to let slide during the holiday season. So pay extra attention to your self-care routine when the holiday rolls around. Take a walk, keep a regular bedtime, drink plenty of water, and have a healthy and hearty breakfast each morning. 

Participate in local holiday celebrations with your fellow seniors

At times, gathering with family members can be painful reminders of people you’ve lost or the passage of time. In this case, it’s okay to limit those celebrations, and choose to celebrate with your peers. Most seniors centers, churches, or other community organizations have senior holiday celebrations to consider.

Try the “rule of one”

The holidays can quickly fill up with multiple celebrations, and you might not have the strength or stamina to attend them all. That’s okay! You are allowed to decline invitations. Some seniors find the “rule of one” helpful, where you choose one meaningful event to attend and decline the rest.

Volunteer in your community

If attending holiday celebrations feels too emotionally fraught for you but you still want to participate in the holiday spirit, consider volunteering. There are many volunteer opportunities during the holidays. Consider volunteering at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, animal rescue hospital, food pantry, your local church, or hospital.

How to help someone with holiday depression

Sometimes your loved one needs some support for friends and family to cope with holiday blues. This support can be invaluable. Just showing up and letting your loved one know that you see what they are going through can be incredibly healing. 

Have a “checking in” conversation

Having a simple conversation with your loved one about how they are feeling during the holiday season can be enormously helpful. Rather than sounding judgmental or accusatory, use this conversations as an opportunity to casually check in. You might ask, “How are you feeling about these upcoming celebrations?” Or, “Is there anything I can do to help you feel comfortable during the holidays?” 

Encourage your loved one to be the “holiday historian”

Lots of seniors feel pressure to play host during holidays in the way that they used to, but you can consider encouraging them to play a different, but equally important role. They can be the “holiday historian,” reminding family members of family traditions and telling stories about past family holiday celebrations. 

How therapy can help

Many times, feelings of sadness around the holidays will be temporary, or pass on their own. Other times, holiday depression may lead to more lasting and severe depressive symptoms, or may point to a chronic issue. At other times, the holidays may be when you or your loved one realize that depression is a major issue, and support is needed.

However holiday depression presents for you, therapy is a fantastic and effective option for managing it. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) plays an important role in helping seniors navigate depression. There are many effective therapy types for depression in seniors, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT).

Therapy for holiday depression isn’t just about “venting” (though you can certainly do this!), but teaching you to learn to identify your feelings and behaviors, understand your reactions to the holidays, and come up with specific ways of coping with challenging feelings and situations.

You may wonder if therapy for holiday depression is covered by insurance. The good news is that Medicare covers therapy for seniors who experience depression. More good news? Therapy can happen in the comfort of your own home, via telehealth services (phone, computer, or tablet).

Sailor Health specializes in geriatric mental health care. Our therapists understand why the holidays can be particularly hard for seniors. Sailor health therapists also understand aspects of aging, legacy, and late-life transitions. Seeking help is a proactive way to reclaim your quality of life, not a sign of "giving in" to old age, and Sailor Health therapists are available and accepting new patients now.

We make it easy to get started, and most of our patients pay $0 out of pocket.

FAQ

How long does holiday depression usually last?

Holiday depression usually lasts a few weeks and resolves once the holidays are over.

Can holiday depression happen in the summer?

Yes, holiday depression can happen at any time during the years, or anytime important celebrations or milestones occur. 

How do I know if my parent is depressed or just tired from the festivities?

Depression usually has more severe symptoms than holiday depression, lasts longer, and can impact the person’s ability to function in daily life. 

Does Medicare cover therapy for holiday depression?

Medicare covers one-on-one therapy for depression, including holiday depression.

What should I do if a loved one refuses to admit they are struggling?

Having an open, non-judgmental conversation with your loved one can be helpful. Sharing your own struggles surrounding depression or other mental health struggles can also open up the conversion. 

References 

1. Cole, S., Hua, C., Peng, S., & Wang, W. (2024). Exploring the Relationship of Leisure Travel with Loneliness, Depression, and Cognitive Function in Older Adults. International journal of environmental research and public health, 21(4), 498. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040498
2. National Institute of Health (2013). Beat the Winter Blues: Shedding Light on Seasonal Sadness.
3. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2013/01/beat-winter-blues
4. American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (2025). Coping with depression and the holidays.
5. https://aagponline.org/patient-article/coping-with-depression-and-the-holidays/
6. National Institute on Aging (2025). Depression and older adults.
7. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/mental-and-emotional-health/depression-and-older-adults