• Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search
Close Search
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Getty Images 1143246023 2

How to Manage Postpartum Depression During the Holidays

Dec 22, 2020 |
By John McCrossen, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

We often imagine the holidays to be a joyous, happy time where we can be with family and celebrate the good times. But for some new moms, they might not feel up to celebrating. For those struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety, the holidays can add an extra layer of pressure to an already overwhelming time. If you are recovering from postpartum depression or anxiety, here are some tips to make your holiday season a little less stressful and more manageable.

  1. First things first, talk with your doctor. Your OB/GYN can provide great resources to help manage postpartum depression or anxiety, and they can help schedule you with a therapist, if needed. Ochsner Anywhere Care virtual visits offer immediate access to a healthcare provider from your smartphone, tablet or computer. During this busy and hectic season, you can see a licensed therapist face-to-face from the comfort of your own home.
  2. Create boundaries. If you know certain things overwhelm you or cause your anxiety or depression to amplify, avoid those tasks. For example, maybe it’s bigger group settings or cooking a full meal for everyone. Know your limits and let others know what you can and can not do. Do not be afraid to say no. Instead of trying to live up to an image of what the holidays should be like, think about and describe what would make this time of the year better for you. Would you prefer to spend it with more immediate family? Would not having to do extensive shopping or decorating make things easier? Does take out instead of cooking a full meal or just sitting at home doing a relaxing activity bring you comfort and joy?
  3. Ask other family members or friends for help. Sometimes, it can be difficult to ask for help from others but asking for help does not diminish your abilities as a mother. If you need a family member to watch your baby for a few hours or have a friend bring over some food, specifically ask them for what you need. Our family members and friends are not mind readers, so it is best to be straightforward and ask for what you need.
  4. Practice mindfulness. Acknowledge and be aware of your true feelings and emotions when it comes to the holidays. Often, trying to feel the opposite of what your mind and body are experiencing makes the problem worse. Allowing yourself to express your true feelings, even if it is just to yourself, although it helps to talk to others, may relieve some emotional distress.
  5. Take time for yourself. Find out what brings you joy, and make sure you work that into your day. While spending time with your family during the holidays can be important, but it is also important to have some me time and recharge.

While the holidays can be challenging, know that you will get through them. Continue practicing self-care and check in with your mental health needs. If you are experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety, contact your Ochsner OB/GYN to discuss best next steps.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. John McCrossen.


Tags
postpartum depression
anxiety
holidays
holiday tips

You may also be interested in:

New Year Celebration 2021 Covid 10
Food & Fitness
Dec 11, 2020

How To Safely Celebrate New Year’s During COVID-19

Making it through 2020 is a cause for celebration, but how can you celebrate the new year safely?
By Melissa Love, MD
Holiday Depression
Conditions & Treatment
Nov 27, 2020

Coping with Holiday Depression

For some people, the holiday season's dread begins early in the fall and continues past the new year.
By Claudia Cuervo, MD
459273209 Hands Exchanging Present
Health Trends
Nov 16, 2020

Giving Back to Get in the Holiday Spirit

With many organizations hurting because of the pandemic and more people relying on public and non-profit programs than usual, your gift will go so much further this year.
By Shon C. Baker, PhD, CFRE

Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Pinterest

Healthy living tips, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Hello Health Seminars
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

Healthy Living Tips, Delivered Right To Your Inbox

* indicates required


Must Reads
Food and Fitness
Men’s Health
Parenting
Women’s Health

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:


Get Weekly Health Tips

Select the weekly newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition

Let us know where to send your weekly newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox every week.

Ochsner Health System
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide