For a lot of people, the holidays are a merry and magical time of year, full of friends, family, Christmas carols, incredible gifts, and inspiring Christmas decorations. Many look forward to Christmas and start celebrating months in advance. Sadly, that is not the case for everyone and the holidays can trigger some dark thoughts that make it very tough to get through Christmastime.
Tensions can also run high during the holiday season as people find the time stressful, even when visiting a place like Disneyland. This stress can cause people to act out and maybe not treat people the way they should. This treatment can extend to Disney’s Cast Members who work day in and day out to create memorable experiences for the people who walk through the gates.
One of the unions representing a large number of Disneyland Cast Members wants to try to make sure its members stay safe, happy, and healthy during the holidays, so they shared how you can recognize signs of holiday depression. While it was directed at Cast Members, it can be very valuable information for all of us and can help us learn how to see the signs.
The holidays bring a special kind of magic to our Parks and Resorts, and out Cast work hard to bring this magic to life for our Guests. But sometimes individuals may experience holiday tension that can affect both their work and personal lives.
During this time, it’s imortant to keep an eye out for signs of holiday stress in our own lives, as well as the lives of those around us.
- Money, time, and family can be triggers for holiday stress
- Know the difference between depression and holiday blues
- Someone may be suffering from depression if symptoms persist longer than two weeks
- If you are feeling lonely, get out and seek positive social activity, such as volunteering for a non-profit organization
- Try to maintain a balanced diet, get plenty of rest, and exercise regularly
- If you notice a fellow Cast Member showing signs of depression, or see a concerning post on social media, reach out to your leader
- The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or LifeCare may provide additional resources and it is available on the HUB
Even though the holidays are a special time for a lot of people, it is important that we all do our part to help those who struggle to get through this season.